"You're hiding something."
Kazaria didn't hesitate, her words sharp as an arrow loosed from a bow. Her emerald eyes narrowed, locking onto him with the intensity of someone who refused to be deceived.
"What?" Florian blinked, his throat tightening, his lashes fluttering nervously.
"Don't lie to me," Kazaria pressed, stepping closer. The cool edge of command in her voice slipped, replaced by something far more personal, far more piercing. "I've known you since the moment you were born. And don't even try to say we're only a few years apart—you know my memory never fails me."
The crown princess aura she carried so effortlessly fractured, melting away. What stood before him wasn't a ruler-in-training, wasn't the heir of Floramatria.
It was just his sister.
An older sibling staring through him, refusing to be fooled.
"I'm…" Florian faltered, completely caught off guard. His steps stilled as Kazaria released his wrist, squaring her stance and setting her hands firmly on her hips.
