Sometimes, it was in her workshop, watching her weave those beautiful fabrics. Other times, it was in the garden, where Aglaea tended the flowers while you watched quietly, neither of you saying a word.
One morning a week later, the atmosphere at the dining table was somewhat unusual.
Aglaea set down her cup, her expression grave. "Have you heard? Something major happened in Doros City..."
Cipher was gnawing on bread when she looked up. "What happened?"
"The King is dead." Aglaea's voice was calm, but her gaze seemed to brush over you. "Not just the King. The First Prince and many of the city's powerful figures died as well. They say they were killed by a... Chrysos Heir."
"What?!" The bread fell from Cipher's hand onto the table. "A Chrysos Heir? How could that be?"
You lowered your head and drank some water without speaking.
Aglaea continued, "Traveling merchants said that night, blood flowed like a river. The entire royal family was wiped out. Doros has now been taken over by Marquis Salvius. He was originally just a fringe noble, but because he had always been fairly kind, he gained the people's support."
Cipher's face grew paler and paler. "Then... what about the people in the city? Those..."
She suddenly stood up, her voice trembling. "Kitten, we have to go back and check!"
"Cipher?" You looked up at her.
"Those little stray kittens..." Cipher's eyes were full of worry. "Something this big happened in Doros. The city must be in chaos. They already had no one looking after them, and now..."
She did not dare continue. In times of such turmoil, helpless orphans were the easiest to sacrifice.
You set down your cup, rose to your feet, walked to her side, and took her trembling hand. "All right. We'll go