[Lavinia's Pov—Training Field—Continuation]
The training grounds still reeked of iron and sweat when silence finally returned. The servants, visitors and knights dispersed in hushed murmurs, their eyes darting between the blood on the dirt and the girl who had spilled it.
I sheathed my sword with a sharp click, forcing my breath to steady even as my heart thundered. Victory should have tasted sweet. Instead, it burned bitter on my tongue.
Behind me, Osric hissed softly as the physician cinched the bandages around his arm. His gaze never wavered, fixed on me—unyielding, heavy, as though he could tether me to the earth with nothing but his will.
"Your Highness," Sir Aldric's voice broke the silence, cautious, as if afraid to awaken the storm simmering beneath my skin. "Should we… report this matter to His Majesty?"
My red eyes swept toward him, sharp as drawn steel. "No."
