"She didn't even get to finish her tea that time…" Seraphiel continued with a sigh.
The silence from the little dryad was damning. But it wasn't shameful silence… It was purely strategic. Rosie was doing her utmost to perfect the art of dodging consequences.
"Mommy Sera is crueeelll!" Rosie wailed, lifting her head in over-the-top heartbreak, her eyes wide and glistening.
Seraphiel's smile widened victoriously, looking at her daughter with her trademark smug expression. "Mm. I thought so. You're still far too wet behind the ears, young lady."
Rosie huffed. Her cheeks puffed up like dumplings, and she crossed her arms with enough drama to rival any noblewoman at court.
But then… From one moment to the next, Rosie stilled.
Not a shift of wind. Not a flick of motion.
Her laughter and exaggeration stopped all at once as if someone had hit pause on her entire being.
The little dryad's ears twitched. Slowly. Sharply. Once. Twice.
