The Mikaelson compound was unusually peaceful. The smell of freshly baked bread filled the dining room, mixing with the aroma of the rich, spiced dishes spread across the long table. Lyja sat across from Davina, who was sipping her tea, while Hope happily nibbled on a piece of cornbread beside Klaus.

It was rare to have a moment like this—a break from the chaos of looming war, a taste of something almost normal.

Almost.

"You're really good at making potions, Auntie Davina," Hope said cheerfully, swinging her legs under the table.

Davina smiled. "It's not exactly potions, Hope. Just a little bit of magic and a lot of practice."

Lyja smirked. "She's being modest. She could probably turn this entire compound into a frog if she wanted."

Hope giggled, looking up at Davina with wide eyes. "Can you really do that?"

Davina shot Lyja a playful glare before ruffling Hope's hair. "Let's just say I have my ways."

Klaus chuckled, leaning back in his chair with his glass of wine. "If only I had a fraction of Davina's patience when I was young. Perhaps the world would've been spared some of my… less favorable moments."

Lyja rolled her eyes, taking a bite of her food. "Somehow, I doubt that."

Klaus smirked, raising his glass to her. "A lack of faith, love? How disappointing."

Before Lyja could respond, Hope turned to her with a bright, innocent expression. "Lyja?"

Lyja glanced at her, setting down her fork. "Yeah, kiddo?"

Hope grinned. "I wish you were dating my daddy so you could be my mom."

Silence.

Davina choked on her tea, coughing violently as she covered her mouth. Lyja, frozen mid-motion, felt her cheeks flame with heat as she stared at Hope in pure shock.

Klaus, however, looked far too entertained.

"Hope," Lyja started, laughing awkwardly, "that's… that's not how that works."

Hope tilted her head, confused. "Why not? Daddy likes you. You like Daddy."

Lyja blinked rapidly, feeling completely blindsided. "Uh—"

"Smart girl," Klaus interjected smoothly, his smirk widening. He turned to Hope with feigned seriousness. "You have quite the eye for romance, my darling."

Hope beamed, clearly pleased with herself. "See? Daddy doesn't mind."

Lyja buried her face in her hands. "This is so not what I expected when I agreed to lunch."

Davina, now composed, was not helping by barely containing her laughter.

Klaus leaned toward Lyja, his voice low but teasing. "I must say, love, I do find the idea intriguing."

Lyja groaned, glaring at him through her fingers. "Don't encourage this."

"But why not?" Klaus mused, sipping his wine as if this were the most natural conversation in the world. "We already get along quite well, and you do have a certain… charm."

Lyja snorted. "Right. I'm sure dating you would be so stress-free."

Klaus's smirk deepened. "Oh, it wouldn't be. But then again, I suspect you don't mind a little chaos."

Hope giggled. "You'd be the best mom, Lyja."

Lyja sighed, finally looking at Hope with a small, genuine smile. "You already have a great mom, Hope."

Hope's expression faltered slightly, but she didn't look sad. Just thoughtful. "I know. But she's gone, and sometimes… I miss having one."

Lyja's heart clenched at the quiet honesty in her voice. She reached over, gently tucking a stray curl behind Hope's ear. "You'll always have people who love you, Hope. And I'll always be here for you. No matter what."

Hope's smile returned, bright and full of trust. "Promise?"

"Promise," Lyja said softly.

Klaus watched the exchange, something unreadable in his expression. It wasn't his usual smugness, nor his calculated charm—it was something softer. Something real.

Davina cleared her throat, finally speaking up. "Okay, how about we stop traumatizing Lyja with matchmaking and eat?"

Klaus chuckled, raising his glass again. "As you wish."

Hope, satisfied with Lyja's answer, happily returned to her meal, and the conversation moved on. But Lyja couldn't shake the warmth that had settled in her chest—or the way Klaus had looked at her just moments before.

As much as she wanted to brush it off, she couldn't deny it anymore.

Things between her and Klaus were shifting.

And whether that was a good thing or a disaster waiting to happen, she wasn't sure yet.