Outside, at the entrance of the palace, Serena stepped forward, her eyes soft, her voice low. "Do you not miss me, Lumina?" she asked…. Well the ecsiok have been made and everyone going back to their chambers.
Lumina tilted her head slightly, finding the direction of Serena's voice. Her lips curved into a faint smile. "Of course I missed you. I have not had anyone to fight for me when people cross the line."
Serena's hand trembled as she reached out and clasped Lumina's fingers. "I missed you too," she said, her voice dropping lower. "I just needed to clear my head. When I found out I was pregnant, everything became… too much."
Lumina's chest tightened. There was a softness, almost regret, hidden in Serena's tone. It stirred something complicated in her heart.
"I still do not understand why the two of you are on such good terms," Ashen's voice cut in, his tone neutral but sharp enough to remind Lumina that he stood just behind her.
