Page 109 of King of Ruin

A soft laugh escaped Elise.

"Thank you."

As she smiled, Astrid's gaze drifted almost absentmindedly to the delicate silver earrings swaying beneath Elise's hair. Theycaught the light whenever she moved, glimmering softly against her fair skin.

"They're beautiful," Astrid murmured. "Those earrings really suit you."

Almost instinctively, Elise reached up and touched one of them, her fingertips brushing the cool silver.

"I bought them when I was traveling overseas," she explained with an easy smile. "I've always liked simple jewelry, so I wear these quite often."

Before the conversation could continue, the sitting room door opened.

Layla entered carrying a polished silver tray, her expression far more restrained than it had been earlier. She crossed the room and carefully arranged everything on the coffee table between them—a fresh porcelain tea set, a steaming pot of lemon jasmine tea, and several unopened packages of imported chocolates, biscuits, candies, and crackers, each one still sealed inside its original wrapper.

"There you are, Miss Foster."

"Thank you, Layla."

After receiving a small nod from Elise, Layla quietly excused herself, leaving the two women alone once more.

Elise reached for one of the snack packets first and deliberately broke the seal before setting it back on the table. She poured herself a cup of tea, stirred one of the floating lemon slices gently with her spoon, and took an unhurried sip before picking up one of the biscuits.

"Mmm." She smiled after taking a bite. "I always like this tea."

Only then did she glance at Astrid.

"Everything's unopened now."

Astrid didn't answer.

Instead, she watched.

Her eyes followed every movement Elise made, from the way she calmly drank her tea to the biscuit she had already eaten from the freshly opened packet. Only after silently convincing herself that nothing was wrong did she finally lean forward. She reached for the second teacup, wrapped both hands around the warm porcelain, and cautiously took a sip before opening one of the snack packets herself.

Watching the wariness gradually leave Astrid's eyes, Elise couldn't help smiling.

Without the slightest hesitation, Elise reached up and unclasped one earring, then the other. Her long hair slipped over one shoulder as she leaned across the coffee table and held them out in her open palm.

"You can have them."

Astrid froze.

Her hand stopped midway to the biscuit she had been reaching for, and her eyes widened as they darted from the earrings to Elise's face.

"...What?"

"You like them, don't you?" Elise said, her voice carrying the same gentle sincerity as before. "Then I'd like you to have them."

She reached across the table, took Astrid's hand before the younger woman could react, and unfolded her fingers one byone. With a careful smile, she placed the earrings into her open palm before closing Astrid's fingers around them.

"I bought them while I was traveling overseas," Elise explained. "They're not sold here, so I won't be able to buy you a new pair."

Astrid stared down at the earrings resting in her hand.

Almost immediately, she shook her head.

"No."