A sudden, unrestrained laugh burst from Anna, bright and unguarded.
The healer's reply had struck something deep, drawing from her a soft, delighted peal that lingered in the air. Her eyes crinkled with mirth, tears gathering at the corners as her cheeks flushed with warmth.
The men fell silent, words abandoning them as their gazes fixed on the princess. Among them, Rafe wore the most conflicted expression.
Anna brushed the tears from her eyes, still giggling. A few knights who had stolen glances at her laughter returned to their conversations, while others lingered, quietly attentive.
"You really do know how to joke, Rafe," she said, the last traces of laughter threading through her voice.
"I'm not joking, my lady!" Rafe protested earnestly. "That's what I learned while studying in Engarth. Every professor I met who had mastered the language was already old, their hair white from years of study."
"There's no way I'm one of them." Anna shook her head firmly.
