"Your Highness! I just heard what happened!"
Cashew's voice cracked slightly as he rushed through the door, nearly tripping over his own feet before throwing his arms around Florian. His grip was tight, desperate.
Florian blinked, momentarily stunned, before slowly wrapping one arm around the trembling teen.
"I can't believe… Lady Delilah died," Cashew whispered, pulling back just enough to look up at him. His pale violet eyes were glassy with worry.
"Kraa!" Azure fluttered in through the window, the little dragon letting out a distressed cry before nestling atop Florian's head. It gently pressed its cool snout into his hair, the weight strangely comforting.
"Careful," Florian murmured gently, shifting slightly so Azure wouldn't fall. He lifted his other hand—his fingers carefully cradling the fragile, broken-winged butterfly. "Look."
