[Lavinia's POV—Red Wall Castle—Continuation]
Haldor was still kneeling when I turned away. I didn't look back—if I did, I wasn't sure what I'd feel.
"Stand up, Haldor," I ordered while walking past him. "I hate my knights and captains kneeling."
He rose immediately, posture straight and respectful again—as if nothing had happened.
"Take rest," I added. "We might receive good news tomorrow."
"Yes, Your Highness." Nothing in his voice betrayed the storm from moments ago.
I left the training grounds, stepping into the cold stone hallway of Red Wall Castle.
The quiet pressed on me. My footsteps echoed. And unfortunately… so did my heartbeat.
Why was it beating so hard?
I pressed my palm to my chest.
Ridiculous.
Absolutely ridiculous.
I shook my head and continued walking—until a low voice suddenly murmured directly behind my ear, "Is your heart tingling—?"
Instinct reacted before my brain did. I spun, seized the intruder's wrist, and twisted hard enough to make bones beg.
