Davian looked visibly worked up, his brows furrowed and his posture tense. I smiled softly and reached out, wrapping my fingers around his hand to ground him.
It was strange—now that I thought about it, I'd never really lied to him about anything. Not about the past, not about the present… apart from my second identity, that is. Somehow, I trusted him more than I realized. Just when did he become so important to me?
Watching him get genuinely angry on my behalf stirred something inside me. It reminded me—no, it affirmed—that I had people here who truly cared for me. People who would stand up for me even when I said nothing.
"Thank you, Your Highness," I murmured, my voice gentle but warm.
He blinked, frowning as if unsure how to respond to the sudden gratitude.
"This is a story I haven't told anyone," I said, smiling faintly. "But I'm glad it was you who heard it."
He looked stunned. "You… you haven't told this to anyone?"
I shook my head.
