#Chapter 78: Lost Time

Elara The lanterns flickered softly against the night sky, their warm glow swaying in time with the breeze that danced through the courtyard. Even from this distance, I could still hear the faint music from the reception, the low murmur of conversation punctuated by bursts of laughter. But out here, it felt quieter—like the rest of the world had softened just for us. I walked slowly along the stone path, my hand resting lightly in my mother’s. Her grip was warm and gentle but oddly tight, as if she was afraid to let go even for a second in case we might drift apart again. I understood that feeling all too well. “You didn’t have to do all of this. You didn’t have to come here,” I murmured, watching the curve of her mouth as she smiled faintly at the lanterns overhead. “I know how much it must have taken just to show up. You’ve got your own things to worry about.” “But I wanted to,” she said simply, shooting me a sidelong glance. “It’s not every day that your da