Serestia lifted her chin.
"Miss Kiara may speak bluntly and care little for noble pride, but he is a hundred times better than someone who would sacrifice his own child to strengthen his political position."
The words landed heavily between them.
Lucian froze.
His mind immediately went to Wester Silver and Arceus.
He could not deny the truth of what she said.
For all of Kiara's rough edges, she had risked herself to help Arceus.
And for all of Wester Silver's polished dignity, he had treated his son like a piece on a chessboard.
Lucian opened his mouth, but no words came.
The training grounds fell silent.
Serestia turned away, her jaw tight.
For the first time, Lucian saw that beneath her irritation and pride, there was something else.
Respect.
Perhaps even admiration.
Serestia did not stop after her first words.
