Selina Zane’s expression softened the moment she heard Leo Shaw’s question. Understanding dawned in her ice-blue eyes, a quiet sorrow flickering across her refined features. She lowered her gaze to Mina Zane, her hand gently stroking the girl’s soft hair with a tenderness that spoke of years of unspoken worry.
“Yes… Mina really is eighteen,” she said quietly, her voice carrying a faint tremor. “She’ll be nineteen soon, actually.”
Leo nodded, waiting. He could sense the weight behind her words.
Selina took a slow breath, as if gathering herself. “You’re wondering why she looks and acts so much younger than her age, aren’t you?”
Another nod from Leo.
“Mina… had an accident during her awakening.” Selina’s fingers tightened slightly in her sister’s hair, protective and pained all at once.
