"It wasn't Liam's fault…" Ollie started, but Liam's voice cut across his with surprising firmness.
"No."
The single word carried enough weight that even Ollie fell silent, turning to look at the young lord with surprise.
Liam stepped forward, and his movements were deliberate and controlled despite the tension visible in his shoulders. When he reached a position directly in front of Ashlynn, he lowered himself to one knee in a mirror of Ollie's earlier gesture, pressing the fingertips of his right hand over his heart in the Eldritch style as he bowed his head in submission before raising his eyes to meet her gaze as he offered his explanation.
"This was my mission to complete for you, Lady Ashlynn," Liam said, doing his best to keep his voice steady and even despite the pressure that accompanied Lady Ashlynn's emerald gaze.
