Chapter 21: The Royal Treasury [3]
Mira didn’t understand.
She truly didn’t understand why, when she heard those words, her cheeks flushed.
He was just a kid, wasn’t he? He was far younger than her yet she had ever imagined herself reacting to in such a way.
Her duty was to guide him and keep an eye on him in the treasury — not to let her composure crack in front of someone who wasn’t even fourteen yet.
Yet here she was, heart drumming faintly against her chest.
"What do you mean by that?" she asked at last, voice sharper than intended as she gathered herself.
It came out quick — very quickly.
Azel tilted his head, lips curling into that calm smile of his that seemed to constantly toy with the edge of mischief.
His hand went to his chin, as though he were contemplating a grand strategy.
"Well," he began casually, "I just want you to spend some time with me while I’m at the palace. Maybe show me your swordsmanship too. Father’s told me a lot about you... about how you’re the youngest Knight commander in the Kingdom. I’d really like to see your skills in person."
Mira froze.
Her cheeks, despite her best efforts, tinged pink at his words.