—-----
"No more talk of the true bearer," Althea said softly, keeping her voice gentle but firm as her eyes swept over everyone seated at the table. "Not tonight, at least. We came here to share a meal, to find even a sliver of peace together– like we always used to. When was the last time we all had dinner together? Let's aside the burden of what's ahead. Just for tonight. Can we do that?"
A heavy silence followed, thick with unspoken doubt and lingering tension. No one said a word and merely exchanged glances, their unease hanging in the air like smoke. Althea could feel it creeping in, and it threatened to unravel the fragile calm she was trying to preserve.
With a frustrated sigh, she glanced toward the staircase and immediately moved to intercept Esme, who was descending slowly to join them.
Without waiting for pleasantries, Althea pointed toward the table, already halfway into her complaint.
