"Matilda," Alicia gave a confused look as she halted in her tracks, the echo of her question lingering in the air.
"Oh, thank goodness you're here!" Matilda exclaimed, her enthusiasm unbridled. With an almost urgent determination, she grabbed Alicia's arm and began to pull her along. "Come along with me," Matilda urged, her steps purposeful as she guided Alicia through the ornate hallways.
Alicia, caught off guard by Matilda's sudden insistence, struggled to keep up. "Wait up! Where are you taking me to?" she called out, her voice a mixture of surprise and curiosity as she planted her feet firmly, resisting Matilda's tug.
"Come on, Alicia," Matilda coaxed, glancing over her shoulder with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Lady Zaphirah demands your presence at the piano room."
