Eiravyne felt a deep ache within her femininity, a wound carved by years of living with the Verenth family, who had stripped away her confidence and left her feeling perpetually inadequate.
Urag's flirtatious comment, meant to flatter, instead made her feel shattered.
As he spoke, a tremor of insecurity ran through her, though she tried to mask it with a calm exterior.
But Urag, ever perceptive, didn't miss the subtle shiver that betrayed her inner turmoil.
He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a low, velvety murmur as he teased, "Sweet Eiravyne, you're so breathtakingly beautiful it's almost sinful. A man could lose his mind just trying to keep his composure around you."
Her eyes flicked down to his hand, still holding hers, then back up to him. "C-Can you s-stop this… nonsense, U-Urag?" she demanded, her voice trembling despite her efforts to stay composed.
