Lyra's innocent words hung in the air, their impact immediate and explosive.
"But I think they're friends," she had said, her soft voice brimming with conviction and delight.
The reaction was instantaneous. Both Caelum and Seraphina nearly spat out their respective food and drink. Caelum's goblet wobbled precariously in his hand, while Seraphina's fork clattered against her plate. For a fleeting moment, their mutual disdain for one another was eclipsed by sheer incredulity.
The lords' respective entourages, standing a respectful distance away, froze. Those closest to the table visibly stiffened, their faces contorting into grimaces as the word "friends" echoed in their minds. A collective shiver ran through them, as if the very suggestion was an affront to their existence.
"Friends? With them?" a guard from Crimsonvale whispered under his breath, his voice barely audible but tinged with horror.
"I'd rather hug a venomous serpent," another from Avernal muttered, his hand instinctively gripping his sword hilt as if to ward off the blasphemous notion.
Back at the table, Caelum clenched his knife tightly, his violet eyes narrowing as he tried to keep his composure. "Friends," he repeated slowly, as if tasting the word for the first time and finding it revolting. His lips pressed into a thin line as he cast a sidelong glance at Seraphina. "You must be joking."
Seraphina's crimson eyes flared with indignation. "Don't look at me. I didn't put that idea in her head," she snapped, stabbing her fork into her plate with a little more force than necessary. "Besides, it's absurd. Utterly absurd."
Lyra, oblivious to the undercurrents of hostility, beamed at them, her silver hair catching the light as she tilted her head. "You don't have to say it, but I know you are! I can feel it!" she chirped, her bright blue eyes sparkling with conviction.
Caelum's goblet landed on the table with a sharp thud. He exhaled through his nose, his jaw tightening. "Feel it? You… feel it?" he asked, his voice strained. "You must be mistaken, little flower."
Seraphina's lips twitched as she tried to suppress a scowl. "Entirely mistaken," she added, her tone sharp. She looked at Lyra with a mixture of exasperation and disbelief. "Whatever gave you such a ridiculous notion?"
Lyra shrugged, her smile never wavering. "The way you look at each other. Like the birds do in the morning!"
Both lords froze, their expressions a blend of horror and mortification. Across the field, a few of the guards exchanged looks of barely concealed amusement, though none dared to laugh outright.
"Birds?" Caelum finally managed, his voice incredulous. He shot Seraphina a glare that could have withered the most stalwart of warriors. "I assure you, there's nothing avian about our… interactions."
Seraphina's cheeks flushed—whether from anger or embarrassment, it was hard to tell. "Don't drag me into your delusions," she hissed, her voice low and venomous. "And for the record, Avernal, I'd sooner dine with wolves."
Caelum smirked, though it didn't reach his eyes. "A fitting choice for someone who howls at every inconvenience."
Lyra's giggle cut through the tension like a blade. "You two are so funny!" she said, her laughter light and genuine. "I'm glad you're my friends."
The lords' responses were swallowed by a strained silence. Both of them sat rigidly, their expressions unreadable as they focused on finishing their meals as quickly as decorum allowed. Every bite felt like an endurance test, every glance a silent battle of wills.
Finally, as the meal came to an end, both lords stood up abruptly, their chairs scraping against the ground.
"I'll take my leave," Caelum said curtly, his tone clipped as he turned on his heel.
"Likewise," Seraphina replied, her voice cool as she rose gracefully from her seat.
Lyra blinked up at them, her expression one of innocent curiosity. "Where are you going?" she asked, her head tilting.
Seraphina leaned down slightly, her tone softening. "Don't worry, little one. You'll be safe. Come along," she said, holding out her hand.
Lyra took it happily, her silver hair bouncing as she hopped down from her seat. She glanced back at Caelum, her bright smile undiminished. "Goodnight, Lord Caelum!"
Caelum paused, glancing over his shoulder. For a moment, his expression softened, though he quickly masked it with his usual stoicism. "Goodnight, Lyra," he said before walking away.
As the lords retreated to their respective camps, they each muttered under their breath.
"Friends. Absurd," Caelum scoffed, shaking his head.
"Utter nonsense," Seraphina grumbled, her lips pressing into a thin line.
Despite their protests, the image of the child's bright smile lingered in their minds. And though neither would admit it, a small part of them couldn't quite shake the warmth that had bloomed, however briefly, in the flower field that day.