Chapter 93: Ripples and Reckonings
Lyria's POV
A small smile touched his lips.
"I see," he said. "And do you find the water agreeable?"
I hesitated, then nodded once.
"It is… peaceful," I said. "When one is alone."
He chuckled softly.
"Ah. A subtle rebuke. Well deserved, I suppose."
He did not sound offended. If anything, the amusement in his tone deepened.
"I shall endeavour not to intrude upon your peace too often," he continued, "though I make no promises. Curiosity is a difficult habit to break."
I felt my face burn hotter. The casual way he spoke — as though this conversation, this entire encounter, were the most natural thing in the world — left me off balance.
"Y-your Grace," I said carefully, "this is… highly i-irregular."
"Is it?" He sounded genuinely curious. "I find the lake rather agreeable company. And you, it seems, do as well. Two people finding solace in the same quiet place does not strike me as particularly irregular."
