Cecilia's quiet smile lasted only a moment before she realized something was wrong.
Nadia had stopped patting Fauna's head and she was now staring straight at her. That cold, unreadable face had turned toward her like a machine locking onto a target.
The shift in atmosphere was immediate. The air seemed to drop a few degrees colder.
Then Nadia began to walk forward—slowly, silently. Each step made the snow crunch in the stillness of the valley.
Cecilia blinked, confused at first—then worried.
When Nadia stopped right in front of her, the towering woman looked down with that icy, emotionless gaze and spoke in a flat, interrogative tone.
"Do you find it amusing?"
"E-Excuse me?" Cecilia froze.
"Do you find it amusing..." Nadia repeated, her voice calm but piercing. "...that Fauna behaves this way? Do you find her act...funny? Do you laugh at her devotion?"
"I—I—no! No, not at all!" Cecilia stammered, taking a step back.
But Nadia stepped closer, lowering her face to meet hers.
