After some time, Seraphina stepped out of the kitchen, wiping her hands gently against the soft apron tied around her waist.
"Food is ready—"
She paused.
The word died from her lips.
The scene before her made her stop mid-step.
Her eyes softened first… then grew complicated.
Lia was sitting on the couch, with Lucian's head resting on her lap.
His breathing was slow and even—he was asleep.
That alone wouldn't have stopped her.
She had noticed him blinking repeatedly while he spoke. She knew he was exhausted, so seeing him asleep wasn't surprising.
What was surprising was Lia's soft giggling as she gently caressed his face, her fingers brushing his cheek with unhidden fondness.
She stared at his face without blinking.
'This girl…'
Seraphina sighed quietly.
She had seen this far too many times.
She was familiar with this.
Lia's clinginess. Her attachment to Lucian.
It was natural—he was her older brother, and since her parents died, she would cling to him.
