The dining room felt different this time.
Not as quiet.
Not as empty.
Elowen sat in her seat, her small hands resting neatly on the table just like Mira had taught her.
Beside her
Noel.
Across from them
Lavinia.
Elowen peeked up.
The girl was… pretty.
Soft golden hair, gentle features, and a calm smile that looked almost perfect.
"…She's the saint…" Elowen thought quietly.
Lavinia smiled warmly.
"Good evening," she said, her voice gentle.
Elowen blinked, then quickly nodded.
"…G-Good evening…"
Noel leaned slightly toward her.
"You don't have to be so stiff," he whispered.
"I'm not stiff…" she whispered back.
"You are."
"I'm not…"
Lavinia let out a soft laugh.
"It's alright," she said kindly. "You can relax, Elowen."
Elowen nodded quickly.
"…Okay…"
The servants began placing dishes on the table.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then Lavinia spoke again.
"The third young master will be returning soon," she said, her tone light.
Elowen looked up immediately.
"…Third brother?"
Her curiosity lit up her eyes.
"…Who's that?"
Noel snorted slightly.
"That's Kael."
Elowen tilted her head.
"…Kael…?"
Noel nodded.
"He's… weird."
"I'm not weird," Elowen said defensively.
Noel laughed.
"I didn't say you were. I said he is."
"…Oh…"
Elowen blinked.
"…How is he weird?"
Noel leaned back slightly.
"He does whatever he wants," he said. "Doesn't listen to anyone. Picks fights. Smiles when he shouldn't."
Elowen's eyes widened.
"…That sounds scary…"
"No," Noel said, grinning. "It's annoying."
Elowen thought about it.
"…A little scary…"
Noel shrugged.
"You'll see."
Lavinia watched them quietly, her smile still in place.
But her eyes flickered slightly.
Just for a moment.
After a while, Lavinia spoke again.
"Elowen," she said gently.
Elowen looked up.
"…Yes?"
Lavinia's gaze shifted slightly.
"…I heard you keep a pig."
Elowen brightened instantly.
"Yes! Pippin!"
She smiled happily.
"He's really cute!"
Lavinia tilted her head slightly, her smile polite.
"…A pig is… an unusual choice for a pet."
Elowen didn't notice the tone.
"He's not just a pet," she said proudly. "He's my best friend!"
Noel snorted.
"Best friend?"
Elowen nodded firmly.
"Yes!"
Noel leaned closer, smirking.
"…Then what am I?"
Elowen blinked.
"…Huh?"
"You said he's your best friend," Noel said. "So what about me?"
Elowen frowned, thinking very seriously.
Then—
"You're not my best friend."
Noel froze.
"…What?"
Elowen nodded.
"You're my brother."
The words came out simply.
Naturally.
Like it was obvious.
Noel stared at her for a second.
Then he laughed.
"…That's better, I guess."
Elowen smiled a little.
"Yeah."
Across the table—
Lavinia watched them.
Her smile didn't disappear.
It stayed perfectly in place.
Gentle.
Calm.
Kind.
But her fingers tightened slightly under the table.
Her eyes darkened—
just for a moment.
Before the warmth returned.
"…I see," she said softly.
And the dinner continued.
But something—
had already begun to shift.