As Leora and I finished sorting through the last of the reports, I glanced at the clock. It was finally lunchtime, and my stomach growled in agreement. Right on time, Ciara appeared at the door with a grin, balancing a large tray loaded with delicious-smelling food.
"Ladies," she announced, sweeping into the room with her usual confidence. "Lunch is served!"
I couldn't help but smile as she approached, her eyes locking onto mine with a familiar mischievous glint.
The sight of her made everything better, even after a busy morning of paperwork. But, as my gaze shifted to the tray, I noticed something was… off. It was packed with all my favorite things: sandwiches, pasta, fresh fruit, and pastries but the portions were suspiciously small for three people.
Leora's eyes lit up as she caught sight of the food. "Oh, Ciara, you shouldn't have," she said, her voice full of exaggerated gratitude. She reached out toward the tray, but before she could get her hands on anything, Ciara smoothly pulled it away, tucking it possessively close to her chest.
"Actually, Grandma," Ciara replied with a sly grin, "I didn't. This is for Aeliana and me."
Leora's hand froze mid-air, her face a mix of mock surprise and indignation. "Excuse me?" she said, her purple eyes narrowing at Ciara.
Ciara lifted her chin, feigning innocence. "What? I went through the trouble of making this especially for Aeliana and me. Do you have any idea how hard it is to make these sandwiches look this good?"
Leora scoffed, crossing her arms. "You mean to tell me that after all the times I've treated you to the finest food in the kingdom, you're not going to share one bite with your dear, starving grandmother?"
Ciara raised an eyebrow, pretending to consider this for a moment. "Hmm… Nope. Sorry, Grandma. You'll have to fend for yourself."
I stifled a laugh, watching the two of them go back and forth. Leora's mock glare grew sharper as she folded her arms, her posture a blend of challenge and amusement.
"You ungrateful little imp!" Leora exclaimed, trying her best to look scandalized, though her eyes were filled with humor. "After all I've done for you!"
Ciara shrugged, completely unfazed. "You know, Grandma, I don't think 'starving' suits you very well. You look quite… well-fed to me."
Leora gasped dramatically, putting a hand to her heart. "Well-fed? Are you calling me fat, young lady?"
"Oh, I wouldn't dream of it," Ciara replied with a wink. "I'm just saying that if anyone could survive without my lunch, it's you."
Unable to hold it in anymore, I burst into laughter. Seeing Ciara and Leora trade insults in such a playful way was both hilarious and heartwarming.
I had grown so accustomed to Leora's regal, composed demeanor, but Ciara brought out a side of her that I rarely got to see.
"Fine," Leora huffed, though I could see the laughter she was holding back. "But remember this, Ciara. Next time you want me to make my famous triple-layered chocolate cake, I'll remember how stingy you were with your sandwiches."
Ciara let out a laugh, clearly enjoying the banter. "Oh, Grandma, you think you're punishing me? I'll just make the cake myself!"
"Oh, please," Leora scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Your version doesn't even compare."
I bit my lip, trying to suppress my laughter as I glanced between them. "You know," I said, trying to smooth things over, "we could always split it three ways. I mean, there's plenty here…"
But Ciara shook her head with a grin. "Oh no, Aeliana. Today's lunch is ours. Grandma here will just have to settle for whatever's left in the pantry."
Leora raised an eyebrow, clearly undeterred. "I could make you a deal," she offered, her tone cunning. "I get one of those pastries, and in return, I'll let you both use the royal carriage for your wedding ceremony. Imagine that—a grand entrance, and all you'd have to do is share your dessert."
Ciara's eyes narrowed, her resolve visibly wavering at the mention of the carriage. "You drive a hard bargain, Grandma."
"Think about it, Ciara. All eyes on you, arriving in the grandest carriage the kingdom has to offer. Isn't that worth a single pastry?"
Ciara sighed dramatically, clutching the tray as if she were protecting a national treasure. "You're lucky I love you, Grandma," she grumbled, and reluctantly, she placed a single pastry on Leora's desk.
Leora beamed, picking it up with an air of triumph. "Thank you, darling. See? Was that so hard?"
Ciara grumbled something under her breath, but there was a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. Despite her protests, I could tell that she was pleased to have made Leora happy.
We finally sat down and began our lunch, Ciara sitting beside me with a playful, triumphant smirk. The food was, as expected, delicious.
Ciara had prepared a spread of fresh sandwiches with basil, tomato, and mozzarella, perfectly golden pastries filled with cream, and a pasta salad sprinkled with herbs. Every bite was rich, flavorful, and clearly made with care.
As we ate, Leora occasionally glanced longingly at our plates, and Ciara would make a show of taking exaggerated bites, savoring every mouthful as if to rub it in.
I nudged her under the table, giving her a look, and she finally relented, handing over another pastry with a good-natured roll of her eyes.
"Just to be clear," Ciara said, pointing a finger at Leora, "this doesn't mean you win."
"Oh, but it does," Leora replied, taking a victorious bite. "You'll learn, Ciara, that sharing is part of being family. Besides, you'll need all the advice you can get when it comes to your own little ones someday."
Ciara choked on her drink, coughing as her cheeks turned slightly pink. "We're not even married yet!" she spluttered.
Leora gave her a sly smile. "Oh, but it's never too early to plan ahead, dear. After all, you've made it quite clear that Aeliana is the one for you."
I could feel my cheeks warming, and Ciara's expression shifted into a mix of embarrassment and playful defiance.
She placed a hand on my back, pulling me a little closer to her side. "I'd say that's true. And anyway, if we have kids, I think Aeliana and I will handle it just fine without you meddling, Grandma."
Leora's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Oh, I don't doubt you could manage. But a little advice from an experienced matriarch never hurt anyone."
"Oh, yes, because your 'advice' is always so subtle," Ciara muttered, raising an eyebrow.
I couldn't help but laugh at the exchange. It was clear that, beneath all the teasing, there was a deep affection between Ciara and her grandmother.
Despite their banter, they both understood that they were family and in this case, family meant looking out for each other, even if that included a few playful jabs here and there.
As we finished our meal, Ciara leaned back in her chair with a satisfied sigh, her arm draped over my shoulders.
"Thanks for letting us steal your office for lunch, Grandma," she said, her tone sincere despite the playful glint in her eyes.
Leora nodded, a soft smile on her face as she looked between the two of us. "Anytime, dear. You both make each other very happy, and that's all I've ever wanted."
As we finished the last bites of our lunch, Ciara and Leora's banter continued, the room filled with laughter and playful jabs. Leora wiped her fingers on a napkin, leaning back with a contented smile, clearly pleased with herself after successfully snagging more of our meal.
"Maybe next time you won't be so selfish, hmm?" she said, winking at Ciara.
Ciara huffed, crossing her arms in mock indignation. "It's only because I love you that I let you take more than one pastry, Grandma. Next time, I'll be stricter."
Leora snorted, waving her hand dismissively. "Oh, please. I know exactly where to aim if I ever want to make you share. Remember that time I used to hide sweets around the castle when you were little? And you thought you'd outsmarted me every time?"
Ciara's face reddened as she tried to stifle a laugh. "I still don't believe you actually hid them in the chandelier. I almost broke my neck trying to climb up there!"
Leora's eyes sparkled mischievously. "Ah, but you were such a little climber. Besides, it toughened you up, didn't it?"
I chuckled, imagining a younger Ciara scrambling up furniture in her relentless pursuit of sweets. The mental image was oddly endearing, and I squeezed her hand under the table.
Before Ciara could reply, the door swung open, and a breathless guard hurried inside, his eyes wide with urgency.
"Apologies for interrupting, Your Grace," he stammered, bowing quickly. "But... there's a madwoman outside."
The room fell silent for a second, and then Leora burst out laughing. What the hell was she laughing for.