{IRIS}
The words slipped from my lips before I could stop them. "Then . . . Lord Val, are you here because you wanted to encourage me?"
The idea seemed absurd the moment I said it. Lord Val—the ever-distant, ever-indifferent, ever-cold Lord Val—coming all the way out here just to lift my spirits?
For a fraction of a second, his expression flickered.
And then, before I could react, his hand moved—lightning-fast.
Thwack.
A sharp flick against my forehead made me yelp.
I stumbled back, clutching the sore spot. "Ow!"
Lord Val simply stared at me, utterly unimpressed. "Don't get ahead of yourself."
I look up at him aggrieved, rubbing my forehead indignantly. "That hurt!"
"That was the point." He exhaled, slow and measured. "You've improved. But not enough. Keep training—even after school starts."
I mumbled under my breath, the warmth from earlier now tinged with slight annoyance. "How am I supposed to train if Sebastian isn't coming with us?"
