The soft murmur of voices echoed through the corridor as Lia, Kayla, and Andrea lingered near a towering marble pillar, their eyes scanning the spacious hall nervously.
“She’s been gone too long,” Lia muttered, her brow furrowed with concern.
“She’ll be fine,” Andrea said, but her tone betrayed her worry. “Maybe she’s just—”
Just then, Ayra emerged from a nearby room, her face pale and her steps hesitant. The expression on her face—confusion maybe—instantly drew their attention.
“Ayra!” Lia called out, her voice tinged with relief as she hurried to her. “Where have you been? We've been looking all over the place for you. Did you get lost?”
Ayra’s expression softened when she saw them, and she forced a small smile. “No. I was just… looking around.”
“Looking around?” Andrea crossed he
