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[sub]Interactions/Mentions: [@c3p-0h] Amaya [/sub][hr]
[indent][color=#ffffff]Elara savoured the last bite of her cookie, the sweetness lingering on her tongue as she discreetly wiped the crumbs from her fingers onto her napkin. The din of the outside around her seemed to fade, swallowed up by the warmth of the pastry and the simple joy of this quiet moment. Her eyes scanned the nearby trays, debating which baked good she’d sample next when something caught her attention from the corner of her eye. It wasn’t the inviting scent of the pastries that had drawn her in this time, but a shift in the air—something more formal, composed. When she lifted her gaze, her heart briefly skipped at the sight of Amaya, standing before her with the cold breath of frost visible in the crisp air.[/color]

[color=#4169e1]“Oh, Am—”[/color][color=#ffffff] Elara's words slipped out before she could stop herself. Her eyes widened in realization, and she immediately straightened her posture. [/color][color=#4169e1]“Your Highness,”[/color][color=#ffffff] she corrected softly, a flush of embarrassment creeping up her neck.[/color][color=#4169e1] “It’s good to see you are well despite the recent storm.” [/color][color=#ffffff]The words felt too formal, too hollow given everything that had happened. How could anyone really be well after such a loss? Especially not Amaya, who wore her composed mask so flawlessly, even if Elara could see the fractures beneath.[/color]

[color=#ffffff]Her gaze flickered to Amaya’s face, searching for some sign of emotion—any crack in the veneer that might hint at how her princess was truly feeling. But all she found was the same practiced neutrality, the regal poise that Amaya always wore in public. Elara wanted to say something more, something comforting, but the weight of propriety pressed down on her tongue. She longed to acknowledge their shared grief, but the bustling space around them was hardly the place for such conversations. Instead, she shifted slightly in her seat, offering a small smile that she hoped conveyed some semblance of warmth.[/color]

[color=#ffffff]As Amaya turned her attention to the two Aurelian women standing nearby, Elara allowed herself a brief exhale, her mind still lingering on the friend beneath the title. She wondered how long Amaya could keep up this facade before the strain of it all became too much to bear. Glancing at the tray of drinks nearby, her decision formed before she even realized it. [/color]

[color=#4169e1]“Your Highness,” [/color][color=#ffffff]she began softly, [/color][color=#4169e1]“would you like me to get you something to drink?”[/color][color=#ffffff] It wasn’t much, but offering a small comfort, even as simple as a drink, might give Amaya a moment to catch her breath. [/color]

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