The man's hand closed around Lucien's arm like it had been practiced.
Not rough enough to draw eyes. Not gentle enough to be mistaken for a greeting.
Just firm. Certain. Final.
Lucien didn't freeze his body wanted to, but his mind snapped into that clear, sharp calm he'd learned on the road. Panic wasted time. Panic made you loud in the wrong way.
And loud was only useful if someone was close enough to hear.
The gate back into the palace stood just a few steps behind the stranger… but it might as well have been miles.
Lucien forced his expression into polite disbelief. The kind that made people hesitate. The kind that made onlookers think, Oh, it's nothing.
"Unhand me," Lucien said evenly, voice low so it didn't turn into a scene yet.
The man's smile stayed polite. "Your Highness, please."
"Please?" Lucien echoed, letting a hint of amusement slip into his tone. "You're blocking my path."
"Only for a moment."
