The next day, Elara decided to confront her feelings head-on. She had spent too long hiding from the truth, too long pretending that everything was fine. It was time to face the reality of her situation, even if it meant risking the fragile bond she had with Cassia.
Elara found Cassia in the garden, sitting on the stone bench beneath the rose arch where they had played their game of princesses weeks ago. The afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the scene, the roses blooming in shades of pink and red.
Cassia looked up as Elara approached, a smile on her face. “Hey, Elara,” she said, her tone cheerful. “What’s up?”
Elara took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she was about to say. “Cassia, we need to talk.”
Cassia’s smile faltered, a flicker of something passing through her eyes. “What about?”
Elara sat down beside her, her hands trembling slightly as she tried to find the right words. “About us,” she said finally. “About… everything.”
Cassia’s expression became guarded, her body
