The black quicksand suddenly dispersed, breaking apart like a thin veil drifting down through the air.
Rita stood before the desk, meeting Byme's cold gaze.
Time passed.
Then, without warning, Byme smiled.
Still gentle. Still beautiful. Like every Vineborne, her smile seemed to carry a faint fragrance.
The light from the wall lamps fell across her face. There was no shadow, no trace of darkness.
She looked exactly as she had yesterday, sitting here, smiling as she said, "So, a Vineborne."
"That does sound… like something I would do."
Her smile was almost innocent. Like someone admiring a completed masterpiece.
Then, with a hint of annoyance, she added,
"No wonder she never came to see me."
There was no confusion left in her eyes. No hesitation.
Rita, however, felt something else entirely.
It was as if Byme had been waiting for this moment all along.
Who altered this memory?
Was it Deceitful Bloom?
Or Byme?
Or both of them, silently agreeing to reshape it together?
