Then the King turned away, Diego beside him. Seraphina stood stiffly, silently biting her lower lip in disgust, her stomach churning at the king’s words.
“Come along, Luciana,” the King called to his daughter.
The young princess followed. As she passed Seraphim, his foot casually nudged out, just enough to catch her stride. She stumbled, but before she hit the ground, Seraphim caught her swiftly in his arms. For a long breath, they stared at one another. Then, gently, Seraphim withdrew his arms, and Luciana straightened herself without a word, brushing invisible dust from her gown.
“Are you alright, Princess Luciana?” Seraphim asked with a gentle smile, his white hair blowing slightly in the wind. The soft scent of jasmine drifted around them as the princess breathed it in.
“I… I’m fi
