"That could take months!" Jessica interrupted. "Lyra, please. I'm not asking you to abandon your work. I'm asking you to take one day to rest. Just one day. Let your mind and body recover so you can actually think clearly again."
"I can think fine—"
"Really? Because you just wrote the same sentence three times on that parchment."
Lyra looked down and realized Jessica was right. Her exhaustion was affecting her work quality now. But still…
"There's so much left to do," she said, her voice quieter now, almost pleading. "So many people depending on these laws being implemented correctly. I can't let them down. I can't let Satou down."
Jessica studied her friend's face, seeing not just exhaustion but genuine fear. Fear of failing. Fear of letting people suffer because she hadn't worked hard enough.
