I remained silent as Crestia pulled herself together, her sobs gradually fading into soft, uneven breaths. Her shoulders, once hunched and trembling, finally relaxed, and she lifted her face, her eyes still rimmed with faint redness but now carrying a glint of determination. I watched her, waiting, giving her the space to recover.
After a few long moments, Crestia's breathing steadied, and the tear-streaked vulnerability faded, replaced by a familiar sharpness in her gaze. The Crestia I knew was slowly returning, the steely, guarded girl who shielded herself behind a mask of indifference. Her usual attitude reappeared, like armor sliding back into place. I was about to suggest we slip out of here before Alad and Werk awoke, but she spoke first, her tone edged with that familiar defiance.
"I answered your question," she said, her voice carrying that note of challenge. "Now it's your turn to answer mine."
