The door swung open with a loud crash, slamming into the wall. Anastasia stormed into the room, her voice ringing out with palpable frustration.
"Mother! Little Brother!"
Pyris remained composed, calm as ever, while Emberly's eyes widened in alarm. They had been caught.
"Annie, it's not what you think!" Emberly's voice trembled slightly as she turned toward her daughter, still trying to regain her composure. Her heart pounded in her chest as she attempted to smooth out the ruffled edges of her dress and hair, but it was too late.
Anastasia's gaze was sharp, full of disbelief as she looked from her mother to her brother.
"What do you mean, it's not what I think?" she shot back, her voice filled with a mix of anger and confusion. "I can see it myself, Mother. I'm not a fool!"
