Chapter 169. Casual Bickering
Back on the wall, Kaelira leaned against the railing, letting her back arch lazily over the edge. Her red hair swayed with the breeze, eyes half-lidded as she tilted her head back to look up at the open sky. She spoke without shifting her gaze.
"Hey, Mia. What’s your and Cassius’s story? Be honest. You say you’re siblings, but you don’t really look like it."
Her voice wasn’t confrontational—more curious, edged with amusement, like she was teasing out something scandalous just for fun.
Mia exhaled softly, as if she’d heard this a thousand times. "It doesn’t matter whether you believe me or not," she said, arms folded as she looked out toward the forest. "We are siblings. That’s not going to change just because someone from the outside questions it."
Kaelira shrugged her shoulders, still leaning against the railing. "Fair enough," she replied casually. "Not like I’ve seen your parents anyway. Maybe one of you took after your mom, the other your dad. Could be. Who knows?"
Before the conversation could evolve further, Verena—who had been watching the two from the corner of her eye—stepped forward, deliberately sliding herself between Mia and Kaelira.
"I don’t think I need your help protecting Mia," Verena said, her tone frosty. "Why don’t you go help that bastard in the forest? He’s got a temper. Maybe the monsters will chase him off just to smite him for being an ass."
Kaelira chuckled, arms crossed now as she leaned her weight onto one foot. "You’re not wrong," she said, her smirk widening. "But I don’t think he’s going to be in danger. That guy’s stronger than he lets on. Besides, these rifts were supposedly cleaned by the staff already, right? The leftovers shouldn’t be too threatening."
Mia and Verena both gave a small nod at that. The logic held—for now.
Mia turned away, looking toward the buildings nestled inside the walled section of the perimeter. Her expression softened. "I think we should find a place to rest. Cassius... would probably appreciate somewhere to relax once he gets back."
Verena moved to her side, staring in the same direction. "You’re right about that," she said, nodding with newfound purpose. "Let’s do it. Not for him, though. For you, Mia. I still wouldn’t lift a finger for that jerk."