'Hm? How did I... know? I just read it somewhere.' Alexandria answered a little too quickly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Now, we really need to—"
"I never wanted to entertain the idea," Florian said, cutting her off, his voice low but steady, eyes fixed on her like a blade.
Alexandria froze mid-step, turning to look at him. Her smile faltered just slightly.
Florian didn't move closer. He didn't need to.
"I didn't want to think it was you." His voice trembled—not from fear, but from the weight of betrayal beginning to settle. "Azure going missing... and you just so happening to be with me during tea time. The way you'd smile, then slip up—just barely—when telling His Majesty things I supposedly did wrong, like you were testing to see how far you could push him."
Alexandria's eyes widened, but Florian didn't stop. His words were building, sharp as daggers and aimed directly at her.
