Chapter 76: Romantic Dinner
For a moment, none of them said a word. Then Serina broke the silence.
"Well..." she began, swinging her staff over her shoulder. "I suppose this is where we all take a breather."
"You sure you don’t want to stick around for the shop’s opening?" Inigo asked.
Serina smiled. "Tempting, but I think I’ll head back to my temple for a bit. Reconnect. Pray. Maybe make a donation or three."
"You mean show off," Lyra teased.
Serina gave her a mock glare. "Please, I show off with grace."
Elira chuckled softly. "I’ll return to the estate. Father will want to hear about the expedition—especially since half the treasure has ties to pre-Empire civilization. He’ll demand every historical detail."
"You think he’ll try to keep one of the artifacts?" Inigo asked.
"Only the cursed ones," she replied, grinning. "The harmless stuff? I’m claiming for the family museum."
They all laughed again, but there was something a little quieter behind the sound now—an unspoken acknowledgement that, for a while at least, they’d be walking different paths.
"We’ll meet again soon," Elira said. "Once the shop’s up and running. I want to see what this ’Mcronald’ buzz is all about."