Chapter 26: Let’s move them
"Greetings, nice to meet you, Lady Vestal and her companions." Alia bowed slightly. Her tone was kind, but clearly measured."
"You don't have to be so formal, sister Alia." Lysaria quickly went forward, helping Alia up.
"It's not every day that someone outside notices little hands and hungry bellies."
"They noticed," the eldest boy said firmly. "They came all the way just to walk us home."
Riku chuckled. "Well, how could we ever not come to such a beautiful place?"
The children laughed. Even Sister Alia smiled.
Still, her gaze returned to Lysaria — not distrustful, but wary, as if she'd seen too many robes and not enough action.
Sensing the unspoken weight in the air, Lila took a quiet step forward. "Why don't I take the little ones outside for a bit? The courtyard looks like a nice place to show off some cart tricks."
Riku gave her a small nod.
The children erupted with excitement as Lila ushered them out into the sunlit yard with promises of mochi crumbs and "cart racing" (though the cart would remain firmly in place).
Once the chapel was quiet again, Lysaria stepped forward.