Fortunately, Althea had just finished expelling the poison when Gavriel returned. She quickly stepped out of her chamber.
“Your Majesty,” she greeted politely, bowing her head.
His gaze immediately swept to Melva behind her. “Leave,” he said curtly.
Without hesitation, Melva slipped away and closed the door behind her.
Gavriel's sharp eyes moved back to Althea, scanning her from head to toe. “I heard my mother visited… with a tray of tea.”
“Indeed,” Althea replied, offering a faint smile. Something in her heart softened at the brief flicker of concern she caught on his face, though it quickly vanished behind his usual stoic mask.
“I’ll have Lakan check on you now,” he muttered and turned to leave.
But Althea reached out and gently grabbed his wrist, making him halt. He turned back s
