Liliette stood under the canopy, her gaze sweeping across the training grounds. The rectangular field stretched before her, lined with targets at its far end. Soldiers and knights milled about, preparing for the day’s practice. One by one, their attention shifted to her, and a palpable tension descended on the field.
Her presence alone seemed to unsettle them. Though being the center of such focus was still new to her, she was slowly growing accustomed to it. Beside her, Vlad offered a subtle, reassuring nod.
“I apologize for the delayed greeting,” she began. “It weighed heavily on me that I couldn’t wish you well before your departure, but I am overjoyed to see you return without injury.”
