Wyn's eyes flare open as she stares at Thea.

"I vow it," she quickly says.

Thea sighs and, reaching inside her small reticule, she takes out the bracelet and fastens it around Wyn's wrist.

"Thank you," she says thickly. "I promise I'll be careful, Thea. I don't want you to be upset with me."

"I'm not." Thea smiles, patting her on her head. "I love you, Wyn."

"I love you too." She nods, a smile finally probing at her lips.

Watching their interaction warms my heart and makes me yearn for it too. Thea has no idea how lucky she is to have such a loving family, despite the unfortunate circumstances of her position.

Neither Nikki nor I had that, and to an extent, it made us closer since we were all the other had. It was perhaps the reason why we decided to wait to have a child, too. It had always been a goal, but we wanted to spend as much time with each other as possible first.

I gulp down against the deluge of feelings that clogs my throat.

We put it off so much and now we might not be in a position to have it.

I plaster a pleasant smile on my face as I try to immerse myself in the conversation and not dwell on those gloomy thoughts.

Animated once more, Wyn tells us about all the gowns she commissioned for her ball, as well as her vision for the event.

"According to the latest count, there will be at least five hundred people—" She pauses as both she and Thea stand up. She motions for me to do the same.

I blink in confusion as I look around, but not a moment later, a man and a woman enter the room—her parents.

They look to be in their thirties, barely older than Cer and Thea. The man has dark hair and tawny skin while the woman has Thea's red hair and a creamy complexion. They're both dressed in formal clothes, with Thea's father wearing a white suit adorned with gold while her mother is wearing a deep red gown with matching gold jewelry.

"Erithea, you are back," her mother exclaims when she sees her.

"Yes, Mother." Thea nods, a shy smile on her face.

They come around to greet us, stopping right in front of us.

Thea's mother moves to give her a hug while her father is standing behind. They don't seem to notice me just yet, their attention wholly focused on their daughter.

"You and I need to have a talk later. It is not at all like you to disappear for so long without a word."

"I thought Cer told you⁠—"

"Your brother has a soft spot for you, Erithea. He will always take your side, even when you are in the wrong."

Thea blushes as she averts her gaze.