The silence in the room was thick and heavy as Elina paced in front of Nicholo. She had been carefully choosing her words, trying to ease him into an idea that had been plaguing her mind ever since the thought of Lucia marrying Prince Luke was brought up. Elina’s soft features were scrunched in concern, her usual calm demeanor laced with a tension Nicholo hadn’t seen in her in years.
“You know, Nicholo,” she began, her voice measured, “maybe Lucia marrying the prince isn’t the worst plan.”
Nicholo, sitting at the edge of their bed, stiffened at her words. His eyes narrowed as he kept his gaze fixed on the floor. He didn’t trust himself to speak yet. Elina continued, unaware of the storm brewing inside him.
“She’s human, just like him. It’s rare for her to find a true connection within t
