Rowena stood silently in the quiet clearing, her crimson gaze fixed on Valeria's armored form with a look of subtle astonishment.
The quiet rustle of leaves filled the pause between them before she finally found her voice.
"Valeria?" she whispered softly, her brows subtly drawn in surprise. How had she failed to sense her presence until now? Even with her attention elsewhere, it shouldn't have been so easy for someone to sneak up on her, especially someone clad in heavy armor.
Valeria stepped forward smoothly, her armored boots barely making a sound as they brushed through the grass.
Her gaze, like a burning crimson flame through the narrow slit of her helmet, remained fixed on Rowena. "Rowena," she greeted simply, her voice as flat and emotionless as ever.
Rowena felt an odd sensation within her chest. It was always the same feeling ever since she started addressing her by her name.
She shook it off quickly, her composure returning as her cool gaze steadied.
