The carriage stood waiting in the courtyard, Zaliyah stood by the door, his fingers moving with grace as he fixed a bright yellow silk ribbon onto his daughter's head. The vibrant color stood out starkly against her silver white hair.
"Stop squirming" Zaliyah murmured, though his eyes softened as he tucked a stray lock behind her pointed elf ear.
"It's itchy, Dada," the girl pouted, her blue eyes darting toward the carriage door.
"Beauty is often itchy," Zaliyah replied, giving the ribbon one final tug before guiding her inside.
Inside the carriage, the air was warm, smelling of Iruna's floral perfume.
Zaliyah settled onto the velvet bench close to Harun, who sat with his back straight.
Sylaris, however, didn't wait for an invitation. She leaped across the small space, landing on Iruna's lap.
Sylaris leaned in, sniffing Iruna's neck before twirling a lock of the girl's brown hair around her finger. A mischievous smile spread across her face.
