He dropped to one knee, bringing himself down to her level, and gently took the paper lotus from her hands.
His hands were shaking.
"You are apologizing to me," Julian whispered, a single tear escaping and tracking down his flawless cheek. His voice was thick with emotion. "After all you have suffered... You crafted this for me. You truly are an angel, Lady Seraphina. You are the brightest light I have ever seen."
He looked at the paper flower as if it were carved from sapphire.
He clutched it gently to his chest. "I shall treasure this forever. I shall have it encased in crystal and placed in my treasure vault."
From his desk, Duke Kaelus von Nacht watched the incredibly touching, wholesome exchange.
And immediately, the Reaper of the North felt an irrational, burning spike of pure, petty jealousy.
