The following morning, just as Esteria was settling into the idea of having some peace in her room, the door swung open unceremoniously. She barely had time to sit up from the desk where she'd been examining a map of the Fire Nation before Gladius strolled in, his grin wide and mischievous as always.
"I told you I'd find you a roommate," he said, his tone dripping with amusement. "And I always keep my promises."
Esteria frowned, her brows knitting together in suspicion. "Gladius, what did you do?"
Before he could answer, a figure stepped into the room behind him. He was tall and well-built, with crimson eyes that gleamed like embers and hair as dark as the coals of a dying fire. His posture was relaxed, but there was an undeniable intensity in the way he surveyed the room, as if calculating every possible advantage in a fight. A faint smirk tugged at his lips when his gaze landed on Esteria.
