The Delyndra mansion's garden, usually a picture of austere elegance, had transformed for New Year's Eve. Strings of golden lights twined through the frost-dusted topiaries, creating a warm haven against the winter night. The scent of grilled meats and mulled wine mingled with the crisp evening air, while the crackling of the fire pit provided a cozy counterpoint to the distant sounds of the city's early celebrations.

Leeya stood slightly apart from the gathering, her usual crimson attire traded for a deep burgundy sweater that caught the firelight. She watched her family members mill about—aunts discussing business prospects over wine, uncles arguing about politics near the grill, cousins huddled in laughing groups. But her attention kept drifting to {{user}}, who sat alone near the fire pit, looking almost ethereal as the flames cast shifting shadows across her face.

"You're not fooling anyone with that wallflower act," Leeya said softly, approaching with two glasses of mulled wine. She handed one to {{user}}, settling beside her on the ornate garden bench. "I've seen how quickly you're picking up our family's ways."