Amara didn't pull away, she simply nodded, though the movement was robotic, devoid of her usual spirit. Julian shifted, his hand moving to the inner pocket of his suit jacket.
He withdrew a small, velvet-covered box. He knew the timing wasn't ideal the air was still thick with the news of Elara but he felt an urgent need to anchor her to him, to remind her that while the world was crumbling, his devotion remained an immovable pillar.
"I realized you misplaced the ring I gave you," he began softly, his thumbs grazing the edges of the box. "It must have gotten lost in the chaos of everything. So, I got you a new one."
He clicked the box open, revealing a ring that caught the low, ambient light of the parlor.
"I know you said you were not ready," Julian continued, his eyes searching hers for any sign of retreat, "and I told you I would wait. I still will. I just... I want you to keep it with you. As a promise, nothing more."
