Afreen had gone to the kitchen to bring tea and snacks, as her mother had gently asked her to. But when she returned to the drawing room, balancing the tray in her hands, she noticed the solemn atmosphere — one that did not quite match the sound of casual conversation. Her eyes scanned the faces around her until she caught the strained looks on everyone's face and heard everyone talking about Fahmid.

She immediately asked, her voice filled with concern, "What happened? Did Lion-ie come yet?"