Sairis's POV
Candice's lips pressed together as she shook her head. "It is all over the palace, Sairis. People are talking about it." she said.
Sairis felt his chest tighten, but he kept his voice low. "It was not like that." he mumbled.
"That is not how it looks," Candice said sharply. "And that matters."
Sairis opened his mouth, then closed it again, his mind racing for the right words.
"That," Candice continued, her voice quieter now but no less firm, "is disrespectful to me, Sairis."
Sairis bit back his words. She was right. It was disrespectful, and he knew it. He was sorry about it. He had crossed a line, even if it had not been his intention.
The memory of that night in the king's room pressed at the back of his mind, making his chest tighten. It was something he felt guilty about, especially after what had almost happened between him and Loreen, that night in the king's room.
