Chapter 96: Cherry Pie and Unlikely Visits
Lyria's POV
For a moment, neither of us moved.
The knife remained pressed lightly against his chest, the fabric of his cloak barely dimpling beneath its point. My hand did not tremble, though my heart beat far too quickly for my liking.
The Duke of Aurelgrave lowered his gaze to the blade.
There was no alarm in his expression. No anger.
Only… something quieter.
Almost weary.
"Well," he said at last, voice mild, "that is not the welcome I had hoped for."
I did not lower the knife.
"You should c-count yourself fortunate," I replied, my tone cool despite the unevenness of my breath. "Y-you were let in at all."
His gaze lifted to mine then, those familiar blue eyes searching my face with a softness I did not trust.
"You need not be on your guard with me," he said gently. "I am not here to harm you."
A hollow sort of amusement stirred within me.
