The moment the tall double doors of the throne room closed behind them, Henrietta stopped in the corridor and turned to Lucas. Her expression was unreadable at first, though her sharp eyes fixed on him with an intensity that could not be ignored.
"Xavier," she said firmly, "tell me honestly. Are you in love with Princess Nyx?"
Lucas blinked at her sudden question, taken aback by the bluntness. He opened his mouth but found himself closing it again, searching for the right words. Henrietta folded her arms, her gaze unwavering, though there was a subtle tremor in her tone as she continued. "I am bound to you, after all, I can sense your emotions, your unrest. All of this… everything you are doing, standing against the elders, pressing the King, proposing impossible solutions, it is for her. So do not think you can hide it from me."
