My lips parted, but no words came out. I stared at Karl, terrified that he could see right through me. The truth sat heavy on my chest, but Marissa had trapped me so tight, I didn't even know where to begin. Whatever excuse she gave earlier had already slipped from my memory, like smoke in the wind.
The king kept his eyes on me, waiting-quiet, patient, but I could feel the weight of his expectation pressing down on me.
"If it's hard to talk about, then don't," he said gently, his voice breaking the silence. A smile slowly spread across his face, soft and warm like sunlight after rain. "The important thing is… you're okay now."
I gave a small nod, grateful and ashamed all at once. He reached for my face and held it in his palm, brushing his thumb along my cheek before leaning in. His lips touched mine—soft, slow, like he was afraid I'd disappear if he moved too fast.
A shiver ran through me. I held my breath, afraid to break the moment.
