Elise's eyes widened, the words hitting her like a physical blow. For a moment, she couldn't breathe, couldn't think, could only stare at the impossibly beautiful prince who had just turned her world upside down.
"I... what?" The word came out before she could stop it, undignified and raw. She forced herself to straighten, to meet those violet-blue eyes with what composure she could muster. "What do you mean by that?"
Prince Valdris smiled—that same controlled, charming expression and gestured for her to sit. When she didn't move, he simply continued as if she had.
