Duke Lucien Asterion stood at the entrance to the private garden, and he looked... strange.
His normally immaculate appearance was still technically perfect, crisp formal attire, hair properly styled, not a thread out of place. But there were shadows under his gray eyes that hadn't been there before. A tightness around his mouth that spoke of sleepless nights.
He looked stressed.
His gaze moved between Cassian and me, lingering on our training clothes, the sweat still cooling on my skin, the way we stood just a little too close.
"Princess Roxanne," his voice was normal, but I caught the edge underneath. "What were you doing?"
"Training," I said flatly. "Is that a problem?"
"The day before your trial? When you're supposed to be resting?" His eyes sharpened. "Yes, actually, I would say that's—"
"What business is it of yours what she does?" Cassian stepped forward, positioning himself slightly in front of me
