After playing, laughing, and taking far too many pictures, the four of them finally settled down for lunch. The baskets were filled with neatly arranged sandwiches, fresh fruits, juice boxes and tiny desserts. Lucien and Sable ate happily, crumbs decorating their cheeks while Dante quietly cut fruit for them with the precision of a man handling a sword.
Alina watched them all with quiet joy, taking small bites of her own sandwich while enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the Shadow Domain. The river shone gently beside them and the black blossoms continued to drift around like soft midnight snowflakes.
While Lucien and Sable played with their Legos after eating, Dante leaned back slightly, resting one hand on the mat. "Miss Alina," he said suddenly, "I remembered something I wanted to tell you."
She looked at him curiously. "Yes, sir."
