[Leif's POV — The Next Day—ThorenVald Estate]
After the horrifying "cleanse-your-body-and-soul" ritual last night, Alvar had the audacity to sprinkle his favorite perfume on me.
"You should smell like me," he'd said.
And then—because apparently logic was for mortals—he'd hugged me tight and fallen asleep like a six-foot-tall, muscle-bound koala.
I didn't protest. Mostly because it was… well, cute. And also because every time I moved, he growled. Anyway, moving on before my dignity files another complaint—
The next morning brought actual, non-romantic news. Our knights were set to arrive by afternoon after securing the village borders.
"Finally, something normal," I muttered—then instantly regretted it, because in ThorenVald, 'normal' was a myth.
Nick, the ever-efficient perfectionist, had prepared a token of gratitude for the knights—a sleek little thing he proudly presented on a velvet tray.
"This," he announced, puffing out his chest, "is the Trivium Core Stone."
