"Now then, how about we have a little chat?"
Lolchess kept her gaze locked on Aelwen.
"Chat?" She murmured, a hint of irony in her voice.
A small, almost imperceptible laugh escaped Aelwen's lips before she folded her arms. "Don't pretend you don't get it. It's not every day you stand face-to-face with a prodigy like you, young lady. Your skills are far beyond those of your peers."
Her piercing stare studied Lolchess, searching for any reaction.
Lolchess remained silent for a few moments.
"And yet, you have the Negestat," she finally said.
Aelwen smiled, but this time, her amusement felt less genuine. She tilted her head slightly, her green eyes gleaming with something almost unsettling.
"The Negestat," she repeated, as though the word itself entertained her. "True, if we're comparing, she's shown more brilliance. But…"
