The door to Lira's room opened with a faint creak, and Nora stepped out, her face tired and eyes half-closed.
Her black tunic with white trim was slightly wrinkled, and her dark brown hair fell messily over her shoulders.
Charles straightened up, forcing a teasing smile.
"So? How'd it go in there?" he said, his tone trying to lighten the mood. "Did Lira give you a lecture or what?"
Nora rolled her eyes, waving a hand to shoo him away from the door.
"Come on, move," she said, sounding more exhausted than annoyed.
Charles raised an eyebrow but complied, walking beside her down the hallway until they were a safe distance from Lira's room.
The sound of their footsteps echoed softly on the wooden floor, and the torches cast dancing shadows on the walls.
When they stopped, Nora lowered her voice, looking at Charles with a serious expression.
"Lira told me to tell you something," she said, almost in a whisper. "Be careful with Selena."
