She was a member of the Royal Guards. The atmosphere in the room suddenly shifted—tense, sharp, like a string pulled taut.
Lugh noticed immediately.
"What?"
He asked, warily.
Selaphiel gave a tight smile, the kind that didn't reach the eyes.
"It's nothing."
The silence dragged on, uncomfortable. Then she spoke again, her voice casual in a way that felt almost forced.
"Vaelith, huh?"
"Yes,"
Lugh replied, before pausing mid-sentence.
"How did you..."
He stopped himself, realizing he had been the one to shout her name earlier. He glanced over the elves before him, studying their expressions. Something was off.
"There's no way something isn't wrong,"
He muttered.
"Why—"
He was cut off.
"I think we've done enough here,"
Zhou interrupted, her voice gentle but firm.
"We've traded friendly banter, you've enriched your knowledge, the duel is over... You should probably be heading home."
"I guess you're right,"
Selaphiel agreed, rising smoothly to her feet.
