{Elira}
~**^**~
The corridor smelled faintly of polished wood and sun-warmed stone. My footsteps echoed behind Rennon's calm, steady pace.
When we reached the study — a quiet room lined with high shelves, their spines faded by age — my chest tightened.
It smelled like ink, paper, and dust… and something softer that reminded me of afternoons long ago in my father's study.
"Sit," Rennon said, gesturing to the chair nearest the window.
I lowered myself carefully, smoothing my dress against my knees. My hacked hair brushed my cheek; it still felt strange, lighter.
Rennon sat across from me and laid out a stack of past exam papers. His fingers were long, neat, and sure.
"We will start with reading comprehension," he said. "Don't rush. Read slowly, then tell me what you understand."
The first paragraph wavered before my eyes. Words blurred into each other, Lady Maren's scorn echoing in my head:
