Evelisse smiled brightly. "Oh, no! Just wondering how the story ends. You know how I get when I'm halfway through a good book."
"You certainly do," Seraphina laughed softly, drawing her into a brief, warm hug.
A quiet chime rang through the dining hall as a magical whisper shimmered in the air beside them.
Evelisse blinked as a notification unfurled just behind her mother's shoulder:
Ding!
[♡ Affection Points Increased: +10]
[Total points accumulated: 3,645 ♡]
Evelisse beamed inwardly, the warmth in her chest a pleasant, quiet ache. It felt... good. Better than she expected. Not just because the numbers went up—but because she didn't have to pretend with her mother, not completely.
Seraphina sipped her tea and gave her daughter a teasing look over the rim of the goblet. "Oh, by the way... I hope you'll be dressed nicely tomorrow."
Evelisse blinked. "Why?"
The Queen's eyes sparkled. "Your little friend, Prince Caelith, is coming to visit."
Evelisse nearly choked on air.
