"Well, I hope you're all having fun!" Alice Nightingale announced cheerfully as she stepped into the living room, her energy as bright as a midday sun. "Arthur, Aria, how about you two go buy some food for our guests?"
"Mom, we have delivery—" Aria began, only to be cut off by Alice folding her arms in a way that could topple empires.
"I'm not paying extra," she declared, her tone brooking no argument. "Go, go."
Arthur and Aria exchanged a long-suffering look before dragging themselves off the couch. "Fine," Arthur muttered, trudging toward the door with Aria in tow.
As the door clicked shut behind them, Alice's warm smile shifted ever so slightly, and she turned back to Rachel and Cecilia with an expression that was almost… calculating. "Now then," she said, her voice still pleasant but with a subtle edge. "Shall we talk?"
Rachel tilted her head, her golden hair glinting in the light. "Yes?"
