The rhythmic sound of the carriage wheels against the stone path echoed steadily in the quiet night, creating an almost hypnotic cadence that filled the interior of the vehicle with a sense of continuous and inevitable movement. Inside, enveloped by soft lighting and the subtle sway of the journey, three figures occupied the space with distinct presences, each carrying a different kind of energy—but all equally aware that this was no ordinary visit.

Elizabeth sat impeccably, as always, her upright and elegant posture contrasting with the slight relaxation of her fingers resting on her lap, while her gaze remained fixed on the small side window, observing the landscape that slowly passed by outside. There was something in her expression—not exactly nostalgia, but a silent recognition—like someone returning to a place they know well… even if they don’t miss it.

“It’s been a long time…” she murmured finally, her voice low, but perfectly audible within the contained space of the carriage. Her eyes didn’t leave the window as she finished speaking: “It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Arven.”

Esther, seated opposite her, rested her elbow on the armrest, tilting her head slightly as she watched Elizabeth with a small, knowing smile, as if she had anticipated that comment.

“Two years,” she replied naturally. “The last time you were here was two years ago.”

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow slightly, finally looking away from the window to meet her gaze.

“That precise?”

Esther shrugged.

“I remember those things.”

Aria, who was seated next to Elizabeth, let out a small, light laugh, elegantly crossing her legs as she absentmindedly ran her fingertips over the fabric of her glove.

“The last time I came…” she began, in a lighter, almost casual tone, “was when I had to buy that tea set.”

Elizabeth turned her face slightly toward her.

“The one you insist on using to this day?”

Aria smiled, satisfied.

“The very one.”

Esther rolled her eyes discreetly.

“Of course that’s why.”

Aria tilted her head slightly, with an almost provocative smile.

“You don’t understand the value of certain things.”

“I do,” retorted Ester, crossing her arms. “I just don’t pretend that an entire trip was ‘necessary’ because of a teapot.”

The corner of Elizabeth’s lips lifted slightly, a subtle smile appearing as she watched the exchange between the two.

“Regardless of the reason…” she said, looking back out the window, “Arven remains… interesting.”

There was a brief silence after that.

But not an uncomfortable one.

It was the kind of silence charged with understanding—of people who knew exactly why they were there, even if they weren’t saying it all aloud.

The carriage began to slow down.

The sound of the wheels changed.

Softer.

More controlled.

Until finally—

It stopped.

Outside, the imposing structure of Morgana’s mansion stood apart from the city center, enveloped in a quieter atmosphere, almost isolated from the rest of Arven. The exterior lighting was discreet, but sufficient to highlight the elegant contours of the building, creating a clear contrast with the surrounding darkness.

The coachman descended first, opening the door with a respectful movement.

Ester was the first to exit, leaning lightly as she dismounted, her eyes immediately analyzing the surroundings with natural attention, capturing details, positions, possible entry and exit points.

Aria came soon after, gently adjusting her dress as it touched the ground, her gaze sweeping over the mansion’s facade with more aesthetic than strategic interest.

“Beautiful,” she commented.

Elizabeth was the last.

As she dismounted, there was no hurry.

Nor hesitation.

She simply placed one foot on the ground with precision, rising with the same elegance she maintained in any situation, her eyes already fixed on the mansion’s entrance as if everything else were merely scenery.

And then—

Movement.

A figure approached.

Ingrivid.

Her steps were firm, her posture straight, her gaze direct—assessing the three quickly, without disguise, but also without any sign of open hostility. There was caution there. Professionalism.

And perhaps… curiosity.

She stopped at a respectful distance.

“Good evening,” she said, her voice firm, clear, without beating around the bush.

The three women turned their attention to her.

Ester was the first to react, observing her with a slightly more attentive gaze, as if trying to fit her into some known pattern.

Aria only tilted her head slightly, analyzing her with a more subtle interest.

Elizabeth—

She remained completely calm.

Observing. Waiting.

Ingrivid continued:

“My name is Ingrivid.”

A brief pause.

“Lady Morgana and Damon are waiting for you in the living room.”

Silence.

Short.

But sufficient.

Ester crossed her arms slightly, tilting her head.

“Straight to the point,” she murmured.

Aria smiled.

“I like that.”

Elizabeth took a small step forward.

“Then let’s not keep them waiting.”

Her voice was calm.

But there was authority in it.

Natural.

Undisputed.

Ingrivid nodded slightly, turning without saying anything more, beginning to walk towards the mansion entrance, naturally assuming the role of guide.

The three followed her.

Their footsteps echoed softly along the stone path as they approached the main door, and as they crossed the threshold, the atmosphere changed immediately. The interior of the mansion was spacious, elegant, with carefully distributed lighting that created an atmosphere that was both welcoming and… strategic.

Nothing there seemed out of place.

Nothing was excessive.

But everything was intentional. Ester watched.

Aria appreciated.

Elizabeth… assessed.

As they walked down the corridor, the silence remained, not for lack of conversation—but because it wasn’t necessary. Each was processing in her own way what they would find at the end of that path.

The corridor stretched before them with a silent elegance, their footsteps echoing softly on the polished floor while the golden lighting projected elongated shadows on the discreetly decorated walls. Ingrivid walked ahead without looking back, but her attention remained alert, aware of the presence of the three women accompanying her—three presences that, even without saying a word at that moment, carried an almost palpable weight in the atmosphere.

Elizabeth walked with her usual impeccable posture, her steps firm, her gaze fixed ahead, as if she already knew exactly what she would find at the end of that path. Aria, beside her, maintained a slight smile, curious, almost anticipating something amusing. Ester… remained silent, her arms relaxed, but her attentive gaze analyzed every detail, every curve of the corridor, every possible variable.

And then—

The living room door opened.

Without announcement.

Without ceremony.

Just a simple gesture from Ingrivid, who stepped slightly aside, allowing them to enter first.

And the moment they crossed the threshold—

It was immediate.

Damon was there.

Standing.

Having recovered enough to maintain his posture naturally, although there was still a slight trace of tiredness hidden beneath his relaxed expression. He was near one of the windows, one hand in his pocket, casually chatting with Morgana—who was comfortably seated in an armchair, observing something about him with an amused glint in her eyes.

But all of this—

Lasted only a second.

Because the instant Elizabeth saw him—

She moved.

There was no hesitation.

There was no pause.

There wasn’t a single word.

It was direct.

She crossed the room with quick, precise steps, her impeccable posture momentarily replaced by something far more… immediate. Damon barely had time to react before she was in front of him—

And then—

She pulled him.

By the collar.

Without delicacy.

Without warning.

And kissed him.

Hard.

Direct.

Without interruption.

The impact of the movement made Damon take a half-step back, completely surprised by the intensity of the action, his eyes opening for an instant before simply… accepting what was happening.

Elizabeth didn’t hold back.

She didn’t measure.

It was a kiss charged with contained urgency, from someone who clearly had more to say than words could express at that moment, her fingers closing on the fabric of his clothes as she maintained the closeness without any intention of pulling away.

Silence.

Total.

For a second. Two.

And then—

Aria laughed.

Softly.

But clearly amused.

“Well…” she murmured, tilting her head slightly as she watched the scene. “She was faster.”

And before any other reaction could occur—

She also moved.

Without the same urgency.

But with the same intention.

Aria approached from the side, gliding gracefully towards Damon, waiting only for the moment when Elizabeth finally moved away—enough for him to breathe—

And then—

She took his place.

Her fingers lightly touched his face, guiding him with a different, yet no less direct, gentleness as she kissed him too, with a more controlled, more provocative rhythm, but equally possessive in its own way.

Damon blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Clearly trying to keep up with the sequence of events.

“…okay…” he murmured against the kiss, his voice almost muffled, laden with a mixture of surprise and amusement. “I definitely missed something.”

Aria smiled against his lips before pulling away slowly, keeping her face close for a moment.

“You always miss,” she replied, with a slight glint in her eyes.

Behind them—

Ester stood still.

Watching.

Silently.

Her arms crossed now more clearly, her body weight slightly supported on one leg as she analyzed the scene before her without any attempt to intervene.

But—

There was something there.

Subtle.

Almost invisible.

A slight movement of the lips.

A small… pout.

Quick.

Controlled.

As if it had appeared before she could even stop it.

She looked away for a moment, as if it had never happened, quickly returning to her usual neutral expression.

But it didn’t go unnoticed.

Morgana saw it.

Of course she saw it.

And then—

She laughed.

Without any attempt to hide it.

A light, genuine laugh, resting her chin on her hand as she observed the scene as if she were watching something extremely interesting.

“They were…” she murmured, clearly amused. “Missing each other a lot, huh?”

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