Elara froze.
Then, after a beat, she let out a soft laugh.
"Um… just to keep an eye on you?" she said lightly, almost playfully.
"Honestly, I don't have a proper reason…"
But Kael was already walking.
He didn't turn back.
Didn't wait for the rest.
The moment had passed.
Behind him, Yue lingered a second longer, glancing back at Elara.
She stood by the window now, her face turned toward the darkening horizon—expression unreadable.
Not smiling.
Not anything.
Just still.
Yue sighed and followed after Kael.
By the time they stepped out of the castle, the sun had nearly vanished behind the peaks.
Dusk melted into night, shadows stretching across the cobbled path like fingers of some tired god.
As Kael made his way toward the waiting carriage, the castle servants and maids bowed with sudden reverence, whispering behind folded hands.
Was it because of the duel?
Because he had bested the Crown Prince?
He didn't care.
He barely noticed.
