Aurelia did not begin immediately. For a brief moment, she simply sat there, her fingers lightly wrapped around the delicate handle of her teacup, her gaze unfocused—as though she were walking through memories she had not yet fully sorted, let alone understood.
It was almost amusing, in a distant, ironic way. All of this… had only happened yesterday.
Levina, seated across from her, said nothing. She did not rush her, and she did not prod. Instead, she leaned back slightly, taking another bite of the pastry before her, her eyes never leaving Aurelia's face. She waited. And at last, Aurelia spoke.
"Well… it began last night," she said quietly, her voice lacking the usual steady authority she carried so effortlessly. "When your brother told me he needed to speak with me. Alone."
Levina raised a brow slightly but remained silent, encouraging her to continue.
