Ilaria and Leroy hurried down the narrow staircase when they finally caught sight of the prince. Well, Leroy hurried, Ilaria mostly just tried to keep up because the moment Levan noticed them, he actually smiled. Subtle and small, but definitely a smile.
"Let's go, princess," Leroy announced, suddenly full of heroic purpose.
"You're acting very triumphant," Ilaria muttered behind him, lifting her hem and quickening her pace, trailing after him like they were marching toward some grand reveal only Leroy knew about.
"I completed my assignment," he whispered, smug practically radiating off him, he looked back only to wiggle his eyebrows. "In a single day. Sir Rowan needed a week. A week."
There it was. Pride, pure sunshine pride.
Ilaria tried not to laugh as she trotted after him. They probably looked ridiculous descending the stairs like overexcited puppies, but Leroy was too busy glowing to notice, and honestly? She kind of liked seeing someone so happy because of Levan.
