Valerie Valsheer realized something she had been refusing to admit.
Sebastian was changing.
Not openly.
Not in a way the court could gossip about.
But subtly.
And Valerie had grown up in court long enough to understand that subtle shifts were the most dangerous ones.
She stood at the edge of the grand ballroom that evening, pretending to engage in polite conversation while her eyes followed the Crown Prince from afar.
He was cold as usual. Reserved. Untouchable.
But when Aliena entered the room—
He stilled.
Just for a fraction of a second.
No one else noticed.
Valerie did.
Sebastian Valskyr did not react to anyone.
Yet his gaze tracked Aliena unconsciously.
He did not smile.
He did not approach.
But he was aware.
And awareness from him meant something.
Valerie's fingers tightened around her wine glass.
No.
This was not infatuation.
Infatuation was careless.
This was controlled.
Measured.
Restrained.
Which meant it was far more serious.
