บท 231: Meeting with Aunt 4

It took some time, but Aria finally managed to calm down.

The tension that had gripped her slowly dissipated, and as she rubbed her eyes slightly, she looked at me with a hint of embarrassment shadowing her features.

"S-sorry," she stammered nervously, her head downcast. Yet, despite her attempt to mask it, the telltale flush in her ears betrayed her true emotions. It was clear to me that she was more embarrassed than nervous.

Instinctively, I reached out and gently patted her head, hoping to further soothe her frayed nerves. Offering her a kind smile, I reassured her, "It's okay."

Aria's lips curved into a slight smile in response to my gesture of understanding. With a subtle straightening of her posture, she indicated that she was beginning to regain her composure. Sensing that the moment was right, I decided to broach the subject that had been weighing on my mind.

"Aria... how did you come here?"