'....' Vex didn't answer her right away.
His eyes remained on her for a fleeting moment—just long enough.
Long enough to see her.
The tilt of her chin. The way her brow furrowed in restrained irritation. The twitch in her cheek, that slight flare of her nostrils as her lips pressed together—not angry. Not really. More… conflicted.
She was trying to look composed.
But her fingers gave her away.
Folded over her lap, they curled unconsciously into the loose fabric of Maira's spare dress, knuckles whitening. The dress was too soft, too plain for a princess, and the way she sat in it—ramrod straight—made it seem like a battle posture.
Like her spine was holding up more than just her back.
"I meant with Maira," she said finally, her voice steady but slightly lower, as if she had to push the words out.
"Why are you acting so... clingy?"
She stared at him now—harder. Her eyes narrowing, sharp with something unspoken. Not just judgment. Not just annoyance.
