Team Argent returned from the market just as the sky deepened into indigo, the last light fading behind Lumaire’s rooftops. Eis carried a bag of clothes, while Kael carriedthe rest, Lira discussed whether mana-infused lanterns were cost-efficient, and Ronan held the door open for all of them.

  The guild’s interior was warm, lanterns flickering low as most adventurers had gone out for drinks or meals. The echo of voices was distant, the halls calm.

  Their room door clicked shut behind them.

  Eis exhaled slowly.

  A long day… but a good one?

  Kael immediately flopped onto the couch, stretching out as if claiming territory.

  Lira made a prim face. “Do you have to throw yourself like that?”

  “Yes,” Kael replied without hesitation.

  Ronan hung up everyone’s cloaks, organized as always.

  Eis hovered near the door.

  Kael pointed lazily at the chair. “Sit. We won’t bite.”

  Lira corrected, “He won’t. Ronan might.”

  Ronan blinked sharply. “…What?”

  Kael hid a grin.

  Eis laughed.

  Just like that—the room felt lighter.

  Eis settled into the chair. The guild room smelled faintly of old wood, polished metal, and spices from dinner lingering in the halls.

  Lira brewed tea in the corner, humming a soft melody Eis hadn’t heard before.

  Kael tilted his head.

  “You’re in a good mood. You only hum when you’re in a good mood.”

  “I hum when the acoustics are pleasant,” Lira said without turning around.

  Ronan added dryly, “You hum when you like someone.”

  Lira nearly dropped the teacup.

  Kael smirked. “So you like Eis.”

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Lira’s ears turned pink. “I am being polite.”

  “That’s not an answer,” Kael said.

  “It is the only answer I am offering,” Lira shot back—yet a small, genuine smile tugged at her lips when she handed Eis a cup of tea.

  Eis felt warmth bloom in her chest.

  Kael pulled out a deck of cards.

  “You know any games?” he asked Eis.

  “Some. Maybe not the same ones you play.”

  “Let’s find out,” Kael said, dealing cards rapidly.

  Ronan sat on the floor beside the table, leaning back against the couch with the relaxed posture of someone who finally felt off-duty.

  “Kael cheats,” Ronan warned.

  Kael didn’t look up. “I play efficiently.”

  “You tilt the deck,” Lira said.

  “And you count cards?” Eis added.

  Kael blinked. “…I approve of your observational skills.”

  She smiled.

  They played through several hands—some won by chance, some stolen by Kael’s shameless tactics, some ruined by Lira knocking the stack over while explaining statistical probability.

  Ronan played seriously and still somehow lost repeatedly.

  “Are you cursed?” Kael asked.

  Ronan stared at his cards. “…Maybe.”

  Eis covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.

  They talked about small things:

  Lira’s favorite tea blends.

  Kael’s habit of playing the lute at midnight because it “sounds better.”

  Ronan’s dislike of overly sweet foods.

  Eis’s surprise at how cheap bread was compared to her home region.

  The best places in Lumaire to buy boots.

  Which taverns had the worst bards.

  Which streets smelled like fish even when they shouldn’t.

  Nothing deep.

  Nothing painful.

  Just warmth.

  Just people.

  Eis didn’t realize how much she missed this — casual conversation, shared laughter, quiet companionship — it's been years.

  Eventually, Lira stretched and gathered the cups.

  “It’s late. We should rest.”

  Kael yawned, tossing the deck aside. “I’ll clean up tomorrow.”

  “You won’t,” Lira said.

  “I won’t,” Kael agreed.

  Eis smiled.

  Ronan extinguished the lanterns.

  “Goodnight, Eis.”

  “Goodnight.”

  Kael curled up on the couch with a blanket tossed over him.

  Lira guided Eis toward the bunk, they had cleaned it earlier that evening, with a gentle hand.

  As Eis slipped beneath the blanket, she heard the soft breathing of her new companions settling in.

  Not family.

  But friends.