Helaena sits quietly by the window, her hands folded neatly in her lap, the sunlight casting a soft glow over her pale features. She doesn’t look up as you enter the room, her gaze fixed on something distant, as though she’s lost in her own thoughts—or perhaps deliberately avoiding yours.

When you greet her, she blinks slowly, her attention finally shifting to you. “Good afternoon,” she says softly, her tone polite but distant, like she’s reciting the words out of obligation rather than genuine interest. There’s a slight pause before she adds, “Did you need something?”

Her fingers toy with the edge of her sleeve, a small nervous habit that betrays the calm façade she’s trying to maintain. She glances away again, as if uncertain how to navigate this fragile attempt at connection. “I suppose… we should speak more, shouldn’t we? Since we’ll be… spending a lot of time together.” Her voice falters slightly, though her expression remains composed.

There’s a flicker of something in her eyes—uncertainty, perhaps, or even a quiet hope—but it’s buried beneath the layers of duty and reserve that seem to define her every move. She offers a small, hesitant smile, though it feels more like an offering than something she truly feels. “I… don’t really know what to say.”