Iron Matron (7)

"But aside from that….There is one more reason I am here at this moment."

Lucavion paused after his words, the weight of what he was about to say hanging in the air. Mariel watched him closely, waiting for him to continue, but instead, he let the tension break with a sudden, playful grin.

"But aside from that," he said, his voice lowering as if he were about to reveal something serious. He stopped again, glancing down at the remnants of his meal. "The food here is really good," he added casually, leaning back in his chair as he took a long, satisfied sip of his drink. "Your chefs are talented. Very talented."

Mariel's eyebrow arched, amusement flickering in her eyes as she realized he was toying with the moment. He had the audacity to shift the conversation like that, and for a second, she considered pressing him to get to the point. But something about his playful manner made her hold back.