"This is excellent work. Estella, you've outdone yourself."
Estella's smile grew, and she inclined her head slightly.
"Just doing my part, Your Highness."
As the group murmured their approval, Estella cast another glance toward Lira and Cerys, her eyes sparkling with barely concealed triumph. Lira's composed expression didn't waver, though her grip on the edge of her cloak tightened ever so slightly. Cerys muttered something under her breath, her jaw visibly tense.
"Well," Mikhailis said, clapping his hands together with a grin that suggested he'd noticed every subtle exchange, "it seems we're in good hands. Let's get moving before this mist gets any worse."
As they turned to finalize their preparations, Mikhailis caught Lira's quiet whisper to Cerys.
"She's enjoying this far too much."
"Let her," Cerys replied in a low growl.
"I'll enjoy cutting something twice as much if this goes sideways."
