Chapter 61: Karaoke

Lena's POV

I lingered in the restaurant after lunch, sipping tea by the window. Freya sat nearby, unusually quiet as she picked at the remnants of her meal. I studied her pensively, remembering how flustered she had seemed yesterday morning around the archivist Mars.

My curiosity finally got the better of me. Setting down my cup, I leaned toward Freya conspiratorially. "So...is Mars the 'friend' you hope will impress you at the tournament?"

Freya's head jerked up, cheeks flushing scarlet. "I never said that!" But her telling reaction answered the question well enough. I had to bite my cheek to keep from grinning outright.

"But you do fancy him, don't you?" I pressed gently. Freya huffed, stabbing at her food. "And what if I do? It's pointless anyhow. He's not some muscle-bound warrior."

I waved my hand dismissively. "You needn't hide your feelings. I saw how tenderly he looks at you, Freya. Why not speak openly together?"

She smiled sadly down at her plate. "If only it were that sim