Chapter 85: When “Sisters” Cross Paths (2)
Amelia followed his gaze and spotted her. Lyra was making her way through the crowd, her slender frame moving with a delicate grace that seemed to mirror her introverted personality. Her long, purple hair streaked with pink shimmered under the sunlight, and her soft violet eyes flickered nervously over the crowd before locking onto Mikael and Amelia.
Amelia observed her closely, immediately recognizing Lyra from Mikael's descriptions and it wasn't the first time she saw her as she already saw her at the library.
When Lyra reached them, she hesitated for a moment, her hands clasping an invisible book against her chest—a familiar, instinctive gesture for the scholarly twelfth princess of Mystoria. Her lithe frame seemed to shrink slightly under the weight of the moment, and her cheeks were faintly flushed.
"Amelia," Lyra began softly, her voice tentative but sincere. "It's nice to finally meet you."
Amelia inclined her head, her tone polite but measured. "Likewise, Lyra. Mikael has told me a lot about you."
A small, nervous smile appeared on Lyra's face. "I hope we get along as fellow sisters."
Amelia blinked, momentarily taken aback. "S-sisters?" she asked incredulously.
Lyra tilted her head, looking genuinely confused. "We'll be sharing the same man, won't we? Shouldn't we be called sisters? At least, that's what I read in a book..."
Amelia snapped out of her brief stupor, her lips curving into a faint smile. "You're really just like Mikael described you."
Lyra glanced at Mikael, who gave her a reassuring smile. Her cheeks grew warmer, but she managed to focus on Amelia. "I hope he said good things about me."
Amelia's smile softened as she replied, "Mostly." Her gaze lingered on Lyra for a moment, and she found herself warming to the other girl more than she had anticipated. The initial awkwardness began to fade as Amelia realized Lyra truly was as Mikael had described—a brilliant but socially awkward bookworm.