After all the laughter had finally settled and the meal had long been finished, Morgana and Lia stepped out of the restaurant.
They walked side by side along the dimly lit street, their hands gently intertwined, their pace slow and unhurried.
Lia stole a glance at Morgana, her expression thoughtful.
"Aunt… is it really that funny?" she asked, "I mean… Mother and the Dragon Emperor…"
Morgana's lips curled upward instinctively, threatening to pull another laugh from her chest. She held it back with effort, pressing her lips together before answering.
"No… It's not exactly funny," she said, though a trace of amusement still lingered in her tone, flickering at the edges.
"It's just… your mother would never show interest in anyone other than you."
Her gaze softened as she looked ahead, her eyes reflecting something deeper than her words.
