"So? What have you thought about it?" Ruby asked as she sat by the table, resting her chin on her hand, watching Adrian move about the kitchen.
The soft clinking of utensils and the gentle simmer of soup filled the quiet room. He was focused, yet his movements carried a strange calm that always seemed to put her at ease.
They were in her room, where Adrian busily prepared lunch while the inventors downstairs worked on crafting the reflectors he needed.
The faint sounds of hammers and gears from below blended with the mild aroma of vegetables and spices from the pot.
As they chatted, Adrian mentioned the conversation he had with Annabelle during their carriage ride to the Barren Lands.
He still remembered every word and expression from that day. Once the final examinations were over, he planned to take Annabelle somewhere quiet—to finally talk about everything that had been left unsaid.
