[Leif's POV—ThorenVald Estate—Leif's Chamber—Night]
The door clicked shut.
Not loud. Not dramatic. Just… soft.
Like the universe had the courtesy to whisper instead of scream while my heart slowly folded in on itself.
I stood there for a few seconds—back pressed against the door, eyes closed—waiting for the ache in my chest to settle.
It didn't.
My fingers were trembling. I curled them into fists until they stopped.
"...Grand Duke Alvar." The words echoed in my head like I was mocking myself.
I had practiced that tone in my mind the whole way here. Calm. Polite. Distant. Not cold. Not cruel. Formal. Just enough to keep my heart from leaping out of my chest when I saw him.
Just enough to remind myself he didn't want me anymore.
Just enough… to not break.
I swallowed hard. The lump in my throat felt like it could choke me, but I forced myself to move anyway. One step. A shaky breath. Another step.
I stopped in front of the mirror.
