"Yuriel…" murmured the young lady, her delicate hands cradling a ceramic cup as she savored the fragrant aroma of the tea. She took a slow sip, her golden-blonde hair shimmering in the light, matching the glint in her piercing gold eyes.
"Yes, my lady?" Yuriel responded, bowing respectfully from a measured distance. His expression remained calm, though he secretly wished to be anywhere else.
"Do you hate me?" she asked abruptly, setting the cup down with a soft clink and locking her gaze on him.
Yuriel hesitated but quickly composed himself. "I wouldn't dare," he replied smoothly, resisting the urge to roll his eyes.
The corners of her lips curled upward, though her expression was anything but kind. "Yuriel… you do know that lying to a noble is treason, don't you?" she said, her voice laced with mockery.
