Chapter 25
I looked at Kael.
At his open expression.
At the careful way he stood beside me instead of in front of me.
Months ago I would have said yes instantly.
Now—
I still hesitated.
Not because I didn’t want to go.
Because I was learning something uncomfortable:
I didn’t want to agree automatically anymore.
Kael noticed.
His eyes softened slightly.
And instead of reaching for me—
he stepped back.
“You don’t have to.”
That small sentence hit harder than grand gestures.
Because for the first time—
he wasn’t asking from expectation.
He was offering.
I looked toward the window.
Snow covered the estate grounds outside.
Quiet.
Cold.
Everything looked softer beneath winter.
Then I looked back at him.
And quietly—
“I’ll walk with you.”
Kael blinked.
Almost surprised
