As Sara linked her arm with Lys's and started pulling him toward the house, the warmth of her touch lingered on his skin. The steps creaked under their feet, and the scent of fresh-baked bread wafted from inside, reminding him of the time ticking away.
Suddenly, Lys planted his feet, stopping dead in his tracks. Sara lurched forward with a small yelp, nearly tripping over her own skirt, but their linked arms kept her steady. She swung back against him like a pendulum, bumping lightly into his side.
"Hey!" she exclaimed, steadying herself with a hand on his chest. She looked up at him, eyebrows furrowed in confusion, a mix of amusement and concern in her eyes. "Why did you stop so suddenly? You almost sent me flying!"
Lys chuckled softly, his dark smile from earlier fading into something more apologetic. "Oh, Sorry about that. I just realized... I should head home now. I'm late for lunch, and didn't tell my family I'd be out this long. Mom and Mira are probably worrying by now."
Sara blinked, then nodded, her expression softening. She unlinked their arms slowly, her fingers brushing his as she let go. "Oh, right. Yeah, you should go. It is already noon. Your family might be getting anxious that you didn't return yet."
She gave him a gentle push on the shoulder, playful but understanding. "Go on, then. And... thanks for today. We'll talk more later, okay?"
Lys nodded, giving her a quick, warm smile. "Definitely. See you soon, Sara. Go prepare for your evening meeting."
He turned and started down the path, his footsteps crunching on the gravel, and suddenly he felt a pang of hunger now that he was thinking about lunch.
Sara stood on the steps, watching him go. She placed her hands on her waist, a small smile tugging at her lips as his figure grew smaller in the distance.
"Be safe," she murmured to herself, though he was already too far to hear. Once he rounded the bend and vanished from sight, she let out a soft sigh, shaking her head at the day's events. The council meeting loomed, and she needed to prepare for it.
Turning on her heel, she headed inside the house, and the door clicked shut behind her.
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Lys trudged along the familiar dirt path toward home, the events of the day replaying in his mind like a looping scroll. But as he approached his house, he pushed the thoughts aside.
The sun was right overhead, casting a warm, golden light over the nearby houses, and the scent of wildflowers mixed with the faint aroma of cooking coming out of them. His stomach growled, reminding him just how late he was for lunch.
As he rounded the corner, he spotted Mira sitting on the wooden stairs leading up to the entrance. She was perched on the top step, her knees drawn up to her chest, chin resting on them as she stared off into the distance. Her red hair, tied in a loose braid, caught the sunlight, making it look like strands of fire.
When she saw him, her face lit up with a beaming smile, chasing away the bored expression she'd worn moments before. She jumped to her feet, dusting off her simple blue-colored skirt.
"Brother!" she called out, her voice a mix of relief and excitement from seeing him. She bounded down the steps two at a time, her bare feet kicking up small puffs of dust.
"What took you so long? I was beginning to think you weren't coming for lunch at all. Mom's been fussing in the kitchen forever."
Lys grinned, ruffling her hair as she reached him. "Sorry, Sis. Got caught up with Sara and some village stuff."
He glanced at the open door behind her, the house quiet except for the distant clatter of pots. "Why aren't you going inside? Waiting out here like a lost puppy?"
Mira's cheeks flushed a soft pink, and she looked away shyly, twisting the hem of her skirt between her fingers. She lowered her voice to a whisper, glancing back at the house as if it might overhear.
"Why else? Mom's in a bad mood all day. I'm sure she knows what happened last night, I tell you that!" Her eyes darted to his, wide with a mix of embarrassment and worry. "I don't know how to stay inside with the temperature like that. It's all tense and awkward. What if she says something?"
Lys felt a twinge of guilt. Yesterday's events, the intimate moments they'd shared under the cover of night, might have been thrilling for him, but he hadn't considered how it might affect the family dynamic.
He placed a reassuring hand on Mira's shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "It's okay, Sis. Nothing will happen. Mom's not the type to blow up over something like this. Come on, let's go in together."
Mira hesitated, biting her lip, but nodded. She slipped her hand into his, clinging a bit tighter, as they climbed the stairs. Lys pushed the door open wider, stepping into the cool shade of the entryway.
The house smelled of simmering broth and a comforting aroma that eased some of the tension in his chest. "Mom?" he called out, his voice echoing slightly off the wooden walls. "I'm home!"
From the kitchen at the back, Elara's voice floated back, soft and even, like a gentle breeze. "I'm here, Lys. What took you so long? Lunch was ready so long ago."
There was no edge to her tone, no hint of anger, just the usual warmth, laced with a touch of weariness from the day's chores.
Lys turned his head slightly, whispering to Mira as they walked down the short hallway. "See? She's not angry or anything. You were fearing in vain." He gave her hand a playful tug, trying to lighten the mood.
Mira peeked around his shoulder, still half-hiding behind him like a shadow. "Maybe... but she's been quiet all morning. Like, too quiet." She clung to his arm from behind, her steps small and cautious, as if ready to bolt at the first sign of trouble.