Chapter 13

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Aurelia Academy's luxurious café by the garden buzzed with activity. The soft murmur of conversations, the clinking of cups, and the gentle rustle of leaves created a serene ambiance. Luna sat by the window, a cup of fragrant tea in her hand. The table was set with an elegant meal, surrounded by a picturesque view of trees and blooming flowers.

She sipped her tea slowly, her mind wandering, when she noticed Leonardo approaching. He made his way through the café with a confident stride and slid into the chair across from her.

Luna blinked, momentarily surprised, but quickly masked her reaction with a cool demeanor. "Leonardo," she acknowledged, her voice calm and composed.

Leonardo studied her for a moment before speaking. "Why didn't you apologize to Lila earlier?" he asked, his tone curious but firm.

Luna tilted her head slightly, feigning confusion. "Apologize?" she asked innocently.

Leonardo raised an eyebrow. "Yes, for bumping into her."

Luna set her cup down gently, her eyes meeting his. "I didn't need to," she replied, her voice steady.

Leonardo leaned forward, clearly perplexed. "And why is that?"

Luna paused, holding his gaze with a piercing intensity. "Because it wasn't my fault," she said, her voice unwavering. "She bumped into me and then acted like it was my fault. I see no reason to apologize for something I didn't do."

Leonardo sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Luna, you could have at least shown some empathy. She's new here."

Luna's expression softened slightly, but she remained resolute. "Empathy is earned, not given freely. And pretending to be something I'm not won't help anyone."

Leonardo studied her, a mix of frustration and admiration in his eyes. "You're always so... unapologetically yourself."

Luna allowed a small, almost imperceptible smile. "And you, Leonardo, always trying to fix things. But sometimes, things are just the way they are."

That was the first time Luna smiled at him and she looked like an unreachable angel.

They sat in silence for a moment, the tension between them palpable yet familiar. Leonardo reached for his own cup of tea, taking a sip as he continued to ponder his fiancée's words.