Transmigrated Into The True Heiress-Chapter 98: Lunch With Friends

Eira’s smile grew faintly at the thought of Malia’s overly enthusiastic personality, and she followed Mrs. Carver through the spacious foyer. The interior of the house was just as stunning as the exterior, with its sleek, minimalist design balanced by tasteful touches of warmth in the form of rich wooden accents and soft, neutral tones.

As they approached the sitting room, Eira could hear the soft murmur of conversation punctuated by occasional laughter. Mrs. Carver led her in, gesturing toward the group gathered there.

Malia stood up almost immediately, a wide grin spreading across her face as she spotted Eira. "Ephyra! You made it."

"Of course," Eira replied smoothly, her tone teasing. "I wouldn’t miss free food."

"Are you wearing a skirt, Ephyra?" Orla’s eyebrows shot up as she took in Eira’s outfit, her expression a mix of surprise and amusement. "I didn’t think I’d ever see you in something so... feminine."

Eira smirked, walking further into the room. "Don’t get used to it. This is a rare occurrence."

"Rare but stunning," Malia said, giving her a playful nudge. "You clean up really well, Ephyra."

"Thanks, Malia," Eira said dryly, though her lips twitched upward in a faint smile. She turned her attention to Cyran, who was standing by the large bay window, a glass of juice in his hand. "So, where’s this free food you promised?"

Cyran chuckled, shaking his head. "It’s good to see you too, Ephyra. Lunch is ready, but Mom insisted we wait for you before we started."

Mrs. Carver’s voice chimed in from the doorway. "And now that everyone’s here, let’s move to the dining room. I’m sure you’re all hungry."

The group followed Mrs. Carver into a spacious dining area, where a large table was set with an assortment of dishes that looked as delicious as they smelled. Eira couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at the spread—this was no casual lunch. Everything from roasted meats to elegantly plated side dishes screamed extravagance.

"You weren’t kidding when you said your mom went all out," Eira murmured to Cyran as they took their seats.

"She likes to make a good impression," Cyran replied with a sheepish grin. "But don’t worry, this is pretty normal for her."

As they began to eat, the conversation flowed easily. Mrs. Carver’s warmth and charm made everyone feel at ease, and even Orla, who was usually reserved, found herself joining in on the laughter. Eira remained mostly quiet, observing the dynamics of the group while responding with dry humor whenever someone addressed her.

At one point, Mrs. Carver turned to Eira, her expression thoughtful. "Ephyra, Cyran speaks so highly of you. I’d love to hear more about how you all became friends."

Eira glanced at Cyran, who gave her an encouraging nod, before replying smoothly, "We were all in the same class, but we weren’t friends. We didn’t even talk to each other. I was kind of a loner at that time. It was Cyran who approached me, asking me to teach him a topic he missed, and since then, we’ve been study partners. It was about a month ago when Malia and her sister approached me and asked if we could be friends. I was surprised at first, thinking they weren’t serious,"—Malia gasped at that—"but I went along and agreed. I realized soon after that they really meant it. When Cyran came back to school, he wouldn’t leave me alone, and we all got along and became friends."

Cyran shook his head. "You are such a bad narrator, and I did not follow you around!"

Malia grinned. "That’s right. You didn’t follow her around; you just wouldn’t leave her."

The group laughed, and Eira’s gaze flickered back to Mrs. Carver. "Don’t listen to Malia. Cyran might be weak, but he’s been a good friend. He has a way of bringing out the best in people."

Mrs. Carver’s eyes softened as she smiled at her son. "That he does. It’s good to see my son surrounded by such wonderful friends. You all mean a lot to him, and for that, I’m grateful."

Malia waved her hand. "You don’t have to be grateful. Cyran is our best friend, and we will always love him."

"Malia, just shut up, please," Orla said, rolling her eyes but unable to hide the amused smirk playing on her lips. "You’re embarrassing all of us, as usual."

Mrs. Carver chuckled warmly, clearly enjoying the lively dynamic among Cyran’s friends. "I appreciate all of you for looking out for him. It means more to me than you’ll ever know."

Cyran shifted in his seat, looking slightly embarrassed but pleased at the same time. "Alright, enough about me," he said quickly, trying to steer the conversation away from himself. "Let’s talk about something else before Malia starts planning my wedding."

Malia gasped, feigning offense. "How dare you? I would plan the best wedding!"

Eira snorted, shaking her head as she reached for her glass of water. "I’ll keep that in mind. If I ever decide to get married, you’ll be my first call."

Malia’s eyes lit up with seriousness. "You better, Ephyra! I already have ideas for the theme."

"Alright, that’s enough, Malia," Orla said, holding up a hand. "Let Ephyra eat in peace before you start organizing her whole life."

The group burst into laughter again, the mood light and easy. As the meal progressed, Eira found herself relaxing more than she had expected. Mrs. Carver’s warm hospitality and the infectious energy of the group made it impossible not to.

After lunch, they moved to the garden, where Mrs. Carver had set up a cozy seating area overlooking a small fountain. The group lounged in the shade, sipping iced tea and sharing stories.

"You know," Mrs. Carver said, looking at Eira with a thoughtful expression, "I can see why your friends like you so much. You have a strength about you, but also a quiet kindness. It’s a rare combination."

Eira blinked, taken aback by the unexpected compliment. "Thank you," she said after a moment, her tone genuine. "That means a lot."

Cyran smiled softly, his gaze flickering between his mother and Eira. "She’s right, you know. You’ve been a great friend to all of us, Ephyra. We’re lucky to have you."

Eira looked away, feeling uncharacteristically self-conscious under their warm gazes. "Don’t get too sentimental on me," she said dryly, though her tone was lighter than usual.

The group laughed, and the conversation shifted to lighter topics once more. As the afternoon wore on, Eira realized how much she had come to value these people in her life. They had a way of making her feel like she belonged—a feeling she hadn’t experienced in a long time.

By the time she left the Carver estate, the sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. Eira glanced back at the mansion one last time, a small smile playing on her lips as she walked toward her car.