"Why were you following me on the day of our first class?"
Vencian stopped moving. His hand, halfway to the table, stayed there. The room stayed the same, yet he felt everything pause around him.
She had noticed him back then. Despite every effort, she had seen.
The weight of her stare told him this wasn't a guess. She was certain.
He chose to lie, one that wouldn't collapse on the second try. "Just chance. You're reading too much into it.," he said, keeping his voice level.
Her lips curved in a faint, knowing smile that didn't soften her eyes. "Too bad. I don't believe in coincidences."
The silence pressed on him until he gave in. "Fine. Coincidence, yes, but also curiosity. That's all."
Roselys tilted her head. "And how much did you hear?"
He hated how she asked as though she already knew the answer.
Vencian met her eyes. "Nothing. Not a word."
That part was true. He hadn't heard the conversation himself. Quenya had, and later shared every piece with him.
