"Your Highness, are you okay?" Richard's voice was low, cautious.
His tone carried concern, but there was something unsettling about how quickly he avoided her gaze when she locked eyes with him.
Ahcehera narrowed her eyes, studying him intently. Her heart sank when she noticed something she hadn't seen before.
His irises, usually the lightest shade of purple, now had thin veins of crimson running through them.
The vivid contrast was striking and unnerving, stirring a memory she had tried to bury. Those eyes, she had seen something similar before. They reminded her of his eyes.
Riezekiel's eyes.
Her breath hitched and her instincts were on high alert. Slowly, she slid out of Richard's grasp, her movements measured to avoid drawing attention to her unease.
Richard tilted his head, watching her retreat with an almost detached curiosity. "Your Highness?"
