Nora
I didn’t strike Ace purely out of anger, but to break the strange tension between us.
He blinked in surprise, rubbing his reddening cheek, an amused danger flickering in his eyes instead of anger. "Oh, I do love a little fire," he said, his voice dropping to a seductive purr. "You do realize the implications of striking me, don’t you? Impersonating a princess is quite the treasonous act. I could go straight to Clyde and reveal you're a counterfeit."
"Then do it," I challenged, holding his gaze with unwavering confidence. "Go ahead, inform the king. See if he’s truly unaware, and let him decide if you deserve reward or silencing for knowing too much."
For a tense moment, the air crackled with a duel of wits. Then, unexpectedly, warmth flickered in his eyes, and he laughed, a genuin
