The journey home felt different for Valerie.
She no longer sat in silence staring out the window, no longer wrapped her arms around herself as if bracing for something painful. Her expression was calmer, her steps lighter. The two days in that hidden place had not erased her problems but they had given her enough distance to breathe.
Demian noticed it the moment they passed through the castle gates.
Valerie walked beside him with her head held high. Not clinging, yet not keeping an excessive distance either. Her presence felt whole and that eased something in Demian's chest.
But the calm did not last long.
They had barely dismounted when hurried footsteps echoed from the front hall.
"Demian."
The voice was cold, controlled, and heavy with expectation.
Ivanka stood there, dressed in an immaculate gown, wearing a smile that never reached her eyes. Her gaze went straight to Demian then shifted to Valerie, lingering a second longer than necessary.
