[Lavinia's Chamber—The Night—Continuation—Lavinia's Pov]
He didn't move an inch.
"I still feel like I should apologize," he said, stiff as ever.
I stared at him, utterly dumbfounded. "...For what?"
"For existing in your chamber like this," he replied, completely serious.
I blinked.
Once. Twice.
Then I sighed, long and dramatic.
"Haldor Valethorn," I said slowly, stepping closer, "I am saying this again and for the final time, you are the Crown Prince. You are my husband. And you are the only person in this empire who has every right to exist here."
I tilted my head, watching his ears turn red. "Dramatically, awkwardly, nervously—however you wish."
He swallowed hard, and then—clearly before his brain could stop him—
"…Your chamber smells like you."
Silence.
His eyes widened in horror the very second he realized he'd said it out loud.
I raised a brow. "Oh?"
"Yes," he said, doomed. "It's—warm. Like sunlight and trouble."
I laughed.
Gods, I laughed.
