Chapter 53. Sunshine

Lexcis Aeden

Now, we're all seated at the round table, with Laurence on her side and Aldric on mine.

"Heavens, children, all of you," Chantel remarks.

After the laughter finally subsides, Aldric takes charge and starts the meeting. "Let us begin. We have lost too much time already," he says, commanding the attention of the group.

"Yeah, you two were late," Zave teases, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

"Do we dare ask why?" Aldric queries with a smirk, adding a playful tone to his question.

I try not to smile because I know Chantel is simmering with frustration, her narrowed eyes revealing her irritation.

"Aldric, you are supposed to be our bodyguard, right?" I inquire, injecting a bit of humor into the conversation.

"Yes," he confirms.

"Yeah, you need to be alive to protect us, right?" I quip, and his head nods in agreement. "Message received. Gettin