With careful steps, I guided Miss Sera's wheelchair through the quiet path leading to the mansion.
"Welcome back, Sir Alve," one of the guards at the gate greeted. His eyes then moved to the woman beside me. "And welcome, Lady Seraphina."
She offered a small nod in return, her posture composed despite the chair she sat in. I simply gave a glance of acknowledgment before entering and pushing the front door open.
The entrance hall was still, eerily so.
"Where is everyone?" I mumbled, peering around.
Moments later, a faint voice echoed from upstairs. The noise of footsteps followed, hurried and light.
"Big bro!" Lily's voice rang out as she burst out of a room on the first floor, something heavy clutched in her arms.
"Careful, or you'll trip on the stairs," I called out instinctively.
"Relax! Look at this!" she said with excitement, holding out a pouch that looked oddly familiar.
I caught the weight of it with one hand. Coins clinked inside as I opened it—gold coins, shining faintly under the hall light.
"I found this in one of the upstairs rooms. That key you gave us opened a chest full of these!"
Miss Sera, watching our exchange, let out a soft laugh. "Your sister shows more emotion in a minute than you do in an hour, Alve."
I raised an eyebrow. "Maybe I'm just more composed."
I let the coins slide through my fingers, studying one of them before returning it to the pouch.
"These must be the wages I earned during my time in the palace. I didn't really think they'd be saved."
"You earned this _much_?" Lily gasped, her eyes wide.
Before I could respond, I gave her a light nudge. "You should greet our guest properly first."
"Oh! Right!" Lily quickly stood straight and awkwardly introduced herself. "I'm Lily Westberg, Alve's younger sister… by a year."
At that, Miss Sera blinked. "Lily…?" she whispered, glancing at me.
I gave a small nod in response.
Taking a breath, Miss Sera replied with grace, "I'm Seraphina Armanis, former Grand Marshal of Armenia."
She tried to rise instinctively for the introduction but winced slightly—her leg reminding her of its condition.
I noticed it immediately. Despite the composed look she wore, I could see the strain she hid behind her smile. She'd gone through so much… and was still enduring it.
I turned back to Lily. "Where are Mom and Dad?"
"They're probably exploring the other side of the mansion," she replied casually.
I sighed. "Can you go call them? I'm not sure I'll be able to find my way through this place if I try."
"Got it," she said and hurried off.
I remained by Miss Sera's side in the quiet hallway, the sunlight filtering in through the windows, casting long shadows across the floor.