The door opened with a quiet, controlled ease, and Valerian stepped out into the corridor as though he had merely crossed from one council chamber into another rather than leaving behind something far more intimate...a wife well fucked and feeling content himself.
The air outside was cooler, carrying the faint echo of distant music and laughter from the ongoing celebration elsewhere in the palace, yet his expression remained unreadable, composed in a way that gave nothing away.
Standing just beyond the door was Gwendolyn. She had clearly been waiting for as long as both he and Aurelia was inside that room.
For a fraction of a second, her composure faltered, her shoulders stiffening as if she had not expected him to emerge so suddenly. Then instinct took over, and she lowered herself into a deep, respectful curtsy.
"Your Majesty," she greeted quickly, her voice steady despite the faint surprise still lingering in her eyes.
