The atmosphere began to change even before dinner started.
The mansion's kitchen was rarely this busy. Lyannis took charge of most of the preparation, as she always did when she wanted to make sure everything turned out perfectly. Elara helped by organizing the ingredients, keeping everything in its proper place. Rai'kanna tried to help, but ended up getting in the way more than contributing. Vespera stayed nearby, observing and occasionally adjusting small details without needing to say anything.
Scarlett stood in the middle of it all.
Not quite knowing where she fit in.
"You can cut this," Lyannis said, handing her a knife and some vegetables.
Scarlett nodded.
"Sure."
She began with precise movements. It was clear she had experience. The cuts were clean, fast, without waste.
"You've done this before," Elara commented.
"A little."
"That doesn't look like a little," Rai'kanna said, leaning against the counter.
Scarlett didn't respond.
But the slight movement of her shoulders showed she heard it.
I watched from the doorway, leaning against the wall.
Everything looked normal.
But it wasn't.
The tension was there.
Hidden in the pauses.
In the glances that started and were interrupted.
In the small silences no one fully filled.
Especially between Scarlett… and the rest of the group.
Liriel hadn't said almost anything since accepting the invitation.
She was sitting farther away, following every detail.
Without hurry.
Without interfering.
That bothered me more than any direct provocation.
Because it meant she was waiting.
"You're just going to stand there watching?" Rai'kanna asked, turning her head toward me.
"Someone has to make sure you don't burn the food."
Lyannis scoffed.
"As if that would happen."
"It already has."
"Once."
"That was enough."
Rai'kanna laughed.
"Then get in here and help."
"I prefer to maintain the place's safety."
"Coward."
Scarlett let out a quiet laugh.
Almost without realizing it.
It was small, but it was the first truly spontaneous reaction from her since she arrived.
Lyannis noticed.
"See? She's already improving."
Scarlett seemed to realize what she had done and became more restrained again.
But not completely.
Something there had started to give.
With time, dinner was ready. The table was arranged in a simple but well-balanced way. Nothing excessive, but enough for a comfortable moment.
We sat down.
I stayed at one end. Elara beside me. Lyannis across from me. Rai'kanna next to her. Vespera a bit farther away. Liriel in silence, observing everything.
Scarlett hesitated before choosing a seat.
She ended up sitting between Lyannis and Vespera.
A safe position.
Not too close to me.
Not isolated.
"You can eat comfortably," Lyannis said.
Scarlett nodded.
"Thank you."
We started.
For a few minutes, the only sound was that of cutlery and small comments about the food. Nothing deep. Nothing that drew too much attention.
It was almost… normal.
Until Rai'kanna decided to break it.
"So."
A simple word.
But enough to change the atmosphere.
Scarlett paused her movement for a moment.
"Do you usually accept invitations like this?"
Direct.
Scarlett placed her utensil on the plate before answering.
"No."
"Then why did you accept this one?"
Silence.
Lyannis cast a quick glance at Rai'kanna.
"You don't have to answer that."
"But you can," Rai'kanna said, without taking her eyes off Scarlett.
Scarlett took a deep breath.
I watched.
She didn't look at me.
She looked at her plate.
"Because… I thought it would be good."
A safe answer.
But incomplete.
Rai'kanna tilted her head slightly.
"Good how?"
"Rai'kanna," Elara said, more firmly this time.
"I'm just talking."
"It doesn't seem like it."
Scarlett tightened her fingers slightly around the utensil.
"It's fine."
She answered herself.
That caught attention.
Liriel slightly raised her gaze.
Scarlett continued.
"I accepted because… it's been a while since I've been in an environment like this."
Lyannis softened her expression.
"With other people?"
Scarlett nodded.
"Yes."
Vespera spoke for the first time since we sat down.
"You avoid bonds."
It wasn't a question.
Scarlett took a little longer this time.
"I avoid complications."
"Same thing," Vespera replied.
Silence.
The conversation had shifted.
Now it was more direct.
Closer to what no one was saying.
I noticed it.
And, by the way Liriel was watching…
She did too.
"But you came anyway," Lyannis said calmly.
Scarlett nodded.
"Yes."
"Then maybe you don't avoid it that much."
Scarlett didn't respond.
But she didn't deny it.
Rai'kanna smiled slightly.
"Or maybe there's a specific reason."
This time, the silence was heavier.
Scarlett didn't move.
Didn't respond.
Didn't look at anyone.
I felt the moment forming.
That point where everything could escalate.
Or break.
"Enough," I said, simply.
Everyone looked at me.
"It's just dinner."
Rai'kanna rested her chin on her hand.
"Yeah."
But she didn't seem convinced.
Elara went back to eating.
Lyannis resumed the rhythm.
Vespera stayed silent.
Liriel…
Still watching.
Scarlett continued eating, but more slowly now.
The rest of the dinner went on without further direct questions.
But the atmosphere didn't return to what it was before.
It became heavier.
More charged.
As if something had been touched… but not resolved.
When we finished, Lyannis began clearing the dishes. Elara helped. Vespera carried some utensils. Rai'kanna stood up, stretching her body.
"That was good," she said. "Really."
Scarlett nodded.
"It was."
But her voice still carried something.
Something that hadn't been said.
Liriel stood up last.
She passed by Scarlett.
Stopped for a brief second.
Without looking directly.
But spoke.
"You're not good at hiding things."
Low.
Direct.
And kept walking.
Scarlett stood still for a moment.
I saw it.
She knew.
And so did I.
That dinner didn't resolve anything.
It only made it clear that… it could no longer be hidden.