The Crown Prince and the maid dismounted their horses, and the moment her feet touched the ground, Dydra turned to him. The fear had not left her—not really. It still lingered in her bones, coiled tightly in her chest despite everything he had said.
"My lord… what do I do now?" she whispered. Her fingers clutched the edge of the scarf still covering her face, as though it were the only barrier between her and the judgment she expected to fall at any moment.
Leonard's expression softened slightly.
"What you usually do in the castle," he said, a faint smile touching his lips, as if the situation were far simpler than the storm raging inside her.
Her brows pulled together. "Bu—"
"Little fox."
He stepped closer before she could finish, closing the small distance between them. His hand rose to the scarf, fingers brushing lightly against her cheek as he pulled the fabric down and away from her face.
The gesture was gentle, there was no hesitation in him at all.
