Xiaomara stood up, adjusting her robes with a smirk. "Well, I'll leave the worrying to you all. Duty calls." She grabbed her bag and headed toward the door. "I'll check back in the evening."
"Stay safe out there, Madam," Frey called after her.
With a wave, Xiaomara disappeared through the doorway, leaving the rest of them to finish their breakfast. Brittany stared out the window, the early morning sun filtering in and casting long shadows over the room. Despite the casual atmosphere, a sense of unease lingered, thoughts swirling about what Alex might be facing.
Just then, the door swung open again, and Alex stepped inside. "I'm home!"
Brittany turned at the sound of Alex's voice, a smile breaking across her face. "Alex! You're back already? That was quick."
Alex closed the door behind him, shaking off the chill from outside. "Yeah, it turned out to be less complicated than I thought," he replied, his expression relaxed. "I need to eat before heading to the western border."
