Elara, Mira, Selene, and Lyra stood in a line with their hands folded, heads lowered. Their thin sleeves trembled slightly, whether from fear or cold, even though they did not know.
They stood before Ethan, who sat in a large carved chair, one leg crossed over the other, quietly studying them one by one.
They were all beautiful in different ways. Graceful posture, clear skin, careful grooming that could not hide the hardship in their eyes. Any one of them could stand at the peak of modeling. Though they could not compare to Rina in pure beauty, they were still striking enough to turn heads anywhere.
The room was silent. Even the servants outside did not dare to breathe loudly.
Ethan leaned back slightly, the chair creaking under his weight.
"Do you know why you are here?"
The question fell like a stone into still water.
