Kyren entered the tent with Anna, silent in his arms.
He settled her gently into a chair, then reached for the small basin of water and the clean cloth on the table.
Setting the basin on the floor, he knelt before her, soaked the cloth, wrung it out, and lifted one of her feet carefully into his hands.
"Kyren…"
Her voice faltered.
One look from him—cold, piercing—sent a shiver through her. She swallowed hard and forced the words out, quieter now.
"I'm sorry. I acted improperly. I know I misbehaved."
His blue eyes, sharp beneath long lashes, remained lowered as he cleaned the dust from her skin.
"If I find so much as a cut," he said evenly, "I'll add to the guards' punishment."
"Kyren—don't!"
Without thinking, Anna lurched and cupped his tense jaw, lifting his face toward hers.
Their eyes met.
The contact sent a jolt through them both.
"Forgive me!" she blurted, realising what she'd done.
Her hands recoiled at once, fingers trembling as she folded them into her lap.
Kyren stared at her for a long moment, unreadable.
"…I'll let this pass," he said at last.
He finished cleaning her feet, discarded the cloth, and rose. Removing his scabbard, he unbuckled his armour piece by piece, setting the sword onto its rack and hanging the breastplate on its stand.
"We need to talk."
"About… what?" Anna asked, lifting her head.
Even dust-streaked and sweat-worn, he was striking—commanding in a way that made her heart tighten.
"You understand who I am," he said. "I am the Knight Commander. This camp operates under my authority. Orders are not questioned—especially not in front of my men."
She stiffened.
"What you did today," he continued, "was interference. That is a violation under military law."
Her breath caught.
Was he saying… he would punish her?
Ayden's warning surfaced in her mind—' He is strict. Very strict.'
Her thoughts raced, grasping for something—anything.
"You can't," she said suddenly. "I'm a civilian."
Kyren paused.
"A civilian cannot be punished under military law," she pressed on, voice gathering strength. "All kingdoms follow the Ro'an military code. Its jurisdiction applies only to active-duty forces."
He straightened slowly.
"Is that so?" he asked in a cold voice.
"Yes. The law applies only to enlisted personnel. It doesn't apply to me."
She had read it and memorised it. She knew this.
Kyren approached her, hands settling on the arms of the chair as he leaned down, effectively trapping her in place.
"And you're certain of this?" he asked.
Her courage wavered—but she nodded. "Yes."
"Where did you learn such things?"
"I… read them," she stammered.
Her heart lurched at the weight of his gaze. Even to her own ears, the explanation sounded thin—dangerously so.
That gave him pause again.
He straightened, studying her with new eyes.
The information she'd cited was precise—specific to military administration. Not knowledge a Cassian commoner possessed.
For the first time, Kyren realised he had misjudged her. He had seen her as someone to be protected, not questioned.
Yet she was not from his kingdom.
She hailed from Ardel—a land renowned for learning, where knowledge was more widely circulated and scholarly disciplines were introduced early.
Access to such information was far less restricted there than in his own kingdom.
In that light, the possibility that she possessed such knowledge could not be dismissed outright.
And her true character might not be merely delicate or emotional…
"I wasn't challenging your authority," Anna said quickly. "But twenty floggings are too severe. They were kind to me. They did their best."
Guilt weighed heavily in her voice.
"I take your safety seriously," he replied. "I meant that."
"Not by hurting others," she said softly. "Loyalty earned through fear isn't loyalty at all."
That made him turn, and the tent fell quiet.
The sadness in her eyes unsettled him. He could have ignored it—but the sight lingered, gnawing at him in a way he did not like.
"…Fine."
He stepped outside and barked an order. The punishment was revised—five days of intensive training, immediate reassignment.
It was the first time he had ever reduced a sentence.
When he returned, the princess's shoulders sagged in relief, having heard the loud announcement.
"Thank you," she said gratefully.
"Don't ask again," he replied. "This was the last time."
She nodded obediently.
Moments later, a squire arrived with his helmet and gauntlets, accompanied by a knight.
"Sir Brooks reports the task is complete," the knight said. "He asked me to deliver the news upon your return."
"I'll come shortly," Kyren replied.
Once they retreated, he moved to the rack and took up his sword.
"I'm heading out."
Anna rose at once. "You're leaving? Are you angry with me?"
"No. I have a task."
"But you just came back…"
"I'm not going far. I'll be back by the end of the day."
Anna stepped forward, her hand tugging at his tunic.
"I don't want you to go," she pleaded, cheeks flushing. "Please."
He paused, then arched a brow. "After arguing with me, you still want my company?"
"Yes," she said without hesitation. "I've been waiting for you long enough."
A short laugh escaped him.
"Very well. I'll be quick." He smiled faintly. "But remember—your punishment is still waiting."
"Punishment?" Her eyes widened.
"Yes. Not under military law, but family law." His smile turned dangerous. "As your husband, I have the right to that."
Then he turned and left her standing there, her heart pounding.
Courage had carried a price—and only now did she wonder what she had stepped into.