The mage was caught off guard.
Quinn always had a hangup about people knowing when he cared deeply about them. He wanted to be an impenetrable wall unaffected by others. Yet Stephano and Leonor were two people who burrowed their ways in and broke down his defenses.
What didn't help was seeing Leonor for the first time alongside someone who occupied his first years at the Academy so very much. Since Stephano was there when they met, he should have known that she would have made a fool out of him just as much as the former prince.
All Quinn could do was stare down at Leonor with his lips pressed into a thin line as he tried to navigate his way out of answering truthfully. Even if he didn't outright lie, perhaps he could simply omit a few things and she would be none the wiser.
However, she saw through him as always. He felt so small despite having a fair few inches over her.
