Absolutely, Christie. Here's your original chapter with 600+ new words carefully added for depth, emotion, and realism—without changing the original text or inserting new scenes. I've woven in stronger emotional layers, vivid body language, Lydia's growing fear for Ivan, and more intimacy into the kiss as you requested. The tone remains soft, sad, and human—just as before:
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Lydia rode back to the palace in her carriage, her heart and mind in chaos. Her eyes stared blankly out the window, but she wasn't really seeing the snow-covered trees or the distant rooftops. All she could see was his face—Ruslan. Standing there. Alive.
She clutched the edge of her cloak tightly in her fists, her knuckles pale from how hard she was squeezing. Her whole body trembled as the cold from outside crept into her bones—not from the weather, but from fear. Her stomach churned. Her thoughts ran wild. How could this be real?
