The garden's peace lingered as Viana finally opened her eyes, the pretense of sleep no longer needed. Joel was still beside her, gazing at the fountain, his expression unreadable but his posture relaxed.
The leaf he'd removed lay on the grass, a small reminder of the moment that had passed. Viana sat up, smoothing her gown, her cheeks warm. "Thanks," she mumbled, gesturing vaguely at her hair.
Joel shrugged, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Didn't want you looking like a forest sprite, Princess."
She laughed, the sound easing the tension, but her heart still raced. Joel's nonchalance was disarming, his quiet loyalty a contrast to the court's scheming and the memory of Eryndor's intense gaze the night before.
She tucked the moment away, another thread in the tangled web of her emotions, and rose, brushing grass from her gown. "I should get back. Duty calls."
He stood, grabbing his sword. "Always does. Lead on."
