Back at the palace, Valerie was seen awake in his study, unable to sleep. Ever since that ball, he has not been able to relax, the memories of Islinda playing over and over in his mind without stopping. He had panicked and denied their relationship in front of his parents and the entire kingdom.
But what could he do? Everything had taken him by surprise. That bastard Aldric had intentionally put him in the spotlight and he couldn't do anything. Even now that he thought about it, his fist clenched in anger only to relax when Islinda's face came up in his mind.
He missed her. Valerie longed for her so much that he couldn't breathe. He wondered how she was doing under Aldric's care. His bastard brother must have hurt her already, Valerie closed his eyes and winced at the memory of Aldric watching her.
