Bella's POV
When I stepped into Caspian Estate, Elias's warm smile greeted me immediately. "Lady Bella, there you are at last," he said.
Heat crept up my cheeks as I offered an apologetic smile. "Sorry, I'm late—things have been chaotic recently. It won't happen again."
Elias's knowing expression softened. "It's okay."
I caught something flickering in his eyes—a contentment I couldn't quite place. He seemed genuinely pleased to see me, though I couldn't understand why my presence would matter so much to him.
As Elias guided me toward the inner courtyard, his steps came to an abrupt halt.
His gaze fixed on something in the distance, and he drew a sharp breath. "His Highness can actually perform swordplay again."
I followed his line of sight and spotted a figure draped in black gliding through the courtyard with liquid grace.
The sword in his grip created shimmering trails, its lethal energy making the very air vibrate with deadly music.
