The campfire crackled softly, its warm light flickering against the dark silhouettes of the surrounding trees. The evening air carried a faint chill, but the camaraderie near the fire created a comfortable warmth. Estella stretched her arms above her head, her posture relaxed as her voice took on a teasing lilt.
"Look at you, Cerys," she said, her grin wide and playful. "Admit it, you're starting to enjoy your glow-up. Who knew the Lone Wolf had such refined tastes?"
Cerys, seated across from Estella, gave a small, almost imperceptible twitch of her lips—the closest she'd come to a smile all evening. Her green eyes caught the firelight as she responded in her usual blunt tone. "It's just cream. Stop making a fuss."
"Oh, come on," Estella pressed, leaning forward. "You look amazing. If I didn't know better, I'd say you might even like the attention."
Cerys's sharp glare was enough to make Estella laugh aloud, throwing her head back as the sound echoed through the clearing.
