The campfire crackled warmly, casting flickering shadows across the group huddled near it. Estella's laughter rang out, bright and unrestrained, as she teased Lira about the newfound glow on her face.
"Admit it, Lira," Estella said, a mischievous grin lighting up her features.
"Even as a maid, you've got to be the envy of noblewomen everywhere right now. This glow? They'd trade their pearls for it!"
Lira, ever composed, raised a delicate brow and inspected her hand with mock seriousness.
"Envy is such an exhausting emotion to manage, Estella. I'll leave that to others." Despite her nonchalant tone, the faintest hint of a smile tugged at her lips.
Estella's grin widened as she leaned closer.
"Oh, come on. You must be reveling in it just a little. Admit it."
"As much as you revel in behaving like a child?" Lira countered smoothly, her voice honeyed with sarcasm.
