Chapter 39: Whispers of the Past
Lilia didn't know why, but the moment those words left Ava's lips, a tightness gripped her chest, even more unbearable than the last. It was unfamiliar, unsettling—an emotion she couldn't quite place.
These two seemed more familiar with each other than she had realized, and for some reason, she felt like an outsider. An intruder in a conversation that wasn't hers.
Of course, she could mask it—she had done it before, during lessons—but never for this long. Those lessons her father had insisted she take seriously, all for the sake of marrying Lowell. Yet, in the end, she hadn't married Lowell. She had ended up with... someone else. And now, faced with this moment, she was certain she couldn't hold back her emotions much longer. Still, she tried. She had to. She wouldn't let anything slip, especially not in front of this woman.
Then, before she knew it, Lilia turned toward him. Zethan grinned, but something flickered in his eyes. It was brief, but she caught it—something dark, something unreadable—before it was replaced by a calm, composed gaze.
Zethan turned to Lilia for only a moment before shifting his attention back to Ava.
"True. I would say, for once, I agree with the rumors. She isn't just outstandingly beautiful, but her stubbornness surpasses all." He chuckled calmly.
Ava's smile faltered slightly.
"I see."
Then she giggled—light and melodic—though something about the sound grated on Lilia's nerves. It had a certain lilt to it, something condescending. Something that said as expected of a newbie.
Lilia narrowed her eyes slightly. How could someone make everything seem so effortless? Though she knew, without a doubt, that this woman did not like her.
Ava then turned to her, a polite, almost too-perfect smile gracing her lips.