When Paul and River saw Rowan's battered state and realized he was being dragged away from them, their fury boiled over. Rowan wasn't just someone entrusted to them by their Lord, Grand Duke Magnus, whom they deeply admired. To them, Rowan was far more than a responsibility—he was someone they cherished.
Despite being a prince, Rowan never carried himself with arrogance around them. He treated Paul and River warmly, as equals, always making sure they never felt the distance of rank. Just as Lord Magnus held Rowan in high regard, both men had grown to see Rowan as someone precious in their own right, too.
"You bastards!" River roared, slashing through the bandit in front of him before driving a vicious kick into the man's gut. He spun toward another enemy, determined to cut them down quickly so he could reach Rowan.
