Liana stood in front of the mirror, steam still lingering in the air.
She stared at her own reflection, then slowly lifted the corners of her lips.
Not too high.
Not too low.
Just enough.
A smile.
Polite. Empty. Perfectly controlled.
She held it for a few seconds… then dropped it.
Then tried again.
And again.
Behind her, Gloria, now wrapped in a towel, chuckled softly.
"Liana… are you still practicing that?"
Liana didn't look away from the mirror.
"Hmm? Yes."
She kept smiling.
Then blinked.
"You should do it too."
Gloria raised an eyebrow. "Why would I?"
Liana finally looked away from the mirror and glanced at her.
"I saw young master's face when he saw me smile like this."
Her eyes softened.
"At least… maybe he'll learn something on his own."
"Liana."
"Hmm?"
Gloria's voice was soft, hesitant.
"Don't you think… if we keep avoiding the young master like this… it'll just make him stray more?"
Liana didn't answer right away.
