"I'll do whatever it takes," I said, the oath escaping my lips before doubt could find me.
He leaned forward, his smile sharpened into provocation. "Words are cheap. Action decides everything."
We locked eyes—his filled with challenge, mine with a stubborn fire I could not extinguish. For a moment, neither of us moved. Then he chuckled low, nodding, as if amused by what he saw.
"Very well. Since Lady Alice has chosen to abandon her formalities, even if only for now, her noble privileges will be set aside. Instead—she will be newly appointed as a knight."
My chest tightened. "That means…"
He cut me off with a deliberate, heavy pause. "Change your question, Julies Evans. Ask yourself this instead—are you prepared to march into battle at her side?"
The answer was already forged inside me, burning hot and unshakable.
"Yes. Always."
The Duke's eyes narrowed, searching my face as though he could strip away the mask and peer directly into the marrow of my soul.
