What truly mattered most to her?
Was it the kingdom, her family, that so-called knightly spirit, or merely lasting peace within her heart?
The high-stemmed glass gently swayed, fine red wine shimmering into tiny fragments of light beneath the lamplight, like a sea scattered with moonlight. The liquid's rising surface on either side resembled coastlines where waves ebbed and flowed.
Iris gazed through her wine glass at Astrid. The latter's flawless, snow-white neck delicately swallowed the wine, then upward along that elegant curve of skin, past an equally refined chin, toward two lips as tender as cherry blossoms, opening and closing softly.
"This is Miss Iris's final night in the Valeria Empire. Tomorrow you will depart by carriage back to your homeland."
Astrid's voice was gentle, her mesmerizing red eyes calmly fixed upon Iris's face, observing the slight furrow in her brows.
"Given the long, exhausting journey ahead, why not cherish this time properly?"
