When Elio noticed Alia entering the room, he rolled his eyes and sank even deeper into the couch, responding in a bored tone,
"Isolde's still full of inspiration or whatever. We're just waiting for it to finally run out."
Alia glanced at Isolde, her eyes lingering on the lyre for a moment before turning back to Elio with a gentle smile.
"Let's go, just the two of us. She can come find us later."
Alia's words hit Elio like a burst of life. His eyes lit up instantly, and he sprang off the couch, dashing toward her. With a loud cheer, he scooped her up and lifted her into the air.
"Hohoho! That's my brilliant little sister! Finally, someone with a real plan! Let's go—the world's waiting for us!"
In a burst of excitement, he tried to hoist Alia onto his shoulders—but lost his balance and stumbled forward. At the last second, he caught her by the waist and steadied her.
He took a deep breath and wiped the sweat from his brow with his arm.
"F-Fwew… that was almost legendary."
Alia, completely unaware of the near disaster, spread her arms out and shouted with joy, a huge smile lighting up her face.
"HAHAHAHAH!"
Watching the scene unfold, Isolde felt an odd tightness in her chest. She furrowed her brows and called out, her voice rushed and a little flustered,
"I'm coming too! Don't leave me behind!"
Elio had already taken off, charging down the hall with Alia on his shoulder. She wobbled and bounced, laughing as she shouted,
"Ahaha! I'm gonna fall—watch it!"
Elio's reply was as wild as ever:
"Hang tight! You're riding like a queen!"
Frowning, Isolde chased after them. The jealousy bubbling inside her made it impossible to smile or say anything nice.
Before long, they reached the garden. A wide, open field stretched out before them, covered in lush, vibrant grass, set a little ways away from the training grounds. At the center stood a grand, ancient tree—its thick trunk and sprawling branches casting a wide shadow over the earth.
Beneath its canopy sat a white table and two elegant chairs—one of Queen Vivienn's favorite spots for afternoon tea, tucked away in one of the quietest corners of the kingdom.
But today, the only sound that filled the air was the quiet whisper of the wind through the leaves.