For a brief moment, Zion almost mistook Callista's words for genuine sincerity rather than another piece of playful banter.
He glanced at her.
The faint smile on her lips looked perfectly innocent.
Zion quickly looked away and let out a quiet chuckle.
'This woman really is too good at making her jokes sound serious.'
He had already learned not to take her words at face value.
The two continued their conversation in low voices, seemingly unconcerned with the attention surrounding them.
Then Zion heard approaching footsteps.
They were neither hurried nor particularly loud, but something about the presence moving toward them made the atmosphere around their table subtly tighten.
He did not need to turn around.
He already knew who it was.
Sure enough, Kaelan stopped a short distance away.
The scars covering his face had not yet completely faded. No matter how much effort he had put into concealing them with makeup, the marks remained visible beneath the lantern light.
