Let us backtrack a tad bit to the point when Melinda first entered the monument and found that the only member of Hal's party that was with her in the hall was Emily.
The two shared a look before glancing around at the other Haronians who were arriving and the fact that they all had three eyes of the Haron Imperial family was worth nothing.
The two were not exactly worried... it was just that they both would have preferred to be with those that they could trust and could gladly fight alongside.
That said, they decided to focus on the plus side which was that, at the very least, they had each other.
"Been what- A year?- Since we last saw each other?" Melinda said to Emily with a mild smile and Emily nodded,
"Yeah, it's been about that long... I've been treated to bits and bits of your accomplishments. You've been doing well for yourself," she said.
"Well, I try," Melinda said with as much modesty as she had which was quite a fair bit.