Daphne freshened up quickly, then fixed her hair before slipping into something comfortable. By the time she went downstairs, the house already felt alive with voices overlapping, footsteps moving from room to room, the familiar warmth of family filling the air.
She stopped short when she reached the sitting room.
"Did I miss breakfast?"
Emma looked up from where she was helping a maid clear a tray and smiled. "Very much so."
Daphne groaned softly. "Why didn't anyone wake me?"
Lianna laughed before Emma could answer. "Because the General specifically told us not to."
Daphne froze. "He...what?"
Emma nodded, far too amused. "He said you were not to be disturbed. He was very firm about it too."
Heat rushed straight to Daphne's ears. "Oh my..."
Lianna grinned wickedly. "Your ears are red."
"Stop it," Daphne said. "Both of you."
Emma leaned closer, lowering her voice teasingly. "So… should we assume you slept well?"
Daphne laughed and pointed at her warningly. "Emma."
