Everyone was happy that Shelia was finally back.
Inside the newly built stone dining hall, warmth filled the air. The room smelled of roasted meat, steamed roots, and fragrant herbs.
Cyrus had spent the entire afternoon preparing everything, and it showed. The hall was spacious, lined with smooth stone benches and a long table he had carved himself. The fire pit glowed in its center, sending flickers of orange light across everyone's faces.
Isabella stepped inside and froze.
"This wasn't here when I left," she whispered.
Cyrus looked away, pretending to serve stew so she wouldn't see his shy smile. "You said we needed a proper place to eat. I remembered."
Isabella twirled a strand of hair between her fingers, impressed. "Remembered? Cyrus, you built a whole dining hall in one month. Are you trying to make me cry?"
Ophelia giggled behind her. "Make her cry with happiness next time. She already cried this month."
Isabella shot her a look, then laughed.
