As long as she had him, that was enough. Lucas would always stand by Aurora’s side, never against her.

Hearing Aurora’s explanation, Megan also felt it made sense, so she quickly shifted the topic. “But tell me, why is Tessa here at the banquet too?”

Aurora’s heart skipped a beat at the question, and Megan immediately noticed her reaction.

Aurora forced a calm reply, “She’s my sister, part of the Walton family. Of course it’s normal for her to attend.”

She had no choice but to say this.

No matter what, one never aired family grievances in public. Aurora understood this better than anyone. Not even in front of Megan, especially not here, with so many people around. One careless word, overheard by someone with ill intent, and Grace’s reputation in Ravenshore could be ruined.

Lucas cast a cold glance at Megan. “Don’t you have anything better to do?”

Before Megan could speak, Aurora quickly cut in. “The banquet hasn’t even started yet. What’s wrong with Megan standing with me?”

Lucas’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Nothing. I just thought the two of us might enjoy a bit more time alone.”

Aurora’s cheeks flamed at once. She shot an embarrassed glance at Megan, only to find her friend watching them with an amused, teasing look.

Well, well. So privately, her cousin and her best friend were this close? That meant she no longer had to worry–she’d been afraid her cousin might treat Aurora poorly. Clearly, that was never the case.

“Oh my, I really didn’t expect it. You two are so close. I guess I was worried for nothing,” Megan said with a bright grin.

Aurora, however, protested at once. “Megan, what nonsense are you spouting now?”

Megan only shrugged, unfazed. “How is it nonsense? Look at my cousin. Normally he’s so wooden and quiet, but with you, suddenly he has all these words and he even says such things to you in public. I’m practically dying of envy. You two really are perfect together.”

Her words made Aurora blush furiously, but Lucas’s heart swelled with satisfaction. Yes, Megan definitely deserved a little extra allowance. He hadn’t realized it before, but she really did know exactly what to say.

Aurora’s cheeks flushed as she shot Lucas a glare. “This is all your fault. Why would you say things like that in public?”

Lucas slid an arm around her slender waist. “Alright, alright–it’s my fault.” His voice softened, low and warm. “My fault for not thinking it through. I didn’t realize my darling was this easy to make blush.”

Those last words were whispered against her ear, and to anyone watching from the outside, it looked like the two of them were sharing secrets, utterly inseparable.

Megan couldn’t help but laugh. Her cousin—the guy who’d always been impossible to crack–was finally softening. And with her dearest childhood friend, no less.

She had worried once about introducing Aurora to her cousin, afraid of what might happen. But now, seeing how close they were, those worries vanished. Their bond was strong, steady, and unwavering. For Megan, that was more than enough. The heavy weight she’d carried in her heart finally lifted.