She caught Vesena’s startled expression—a fleeting, unguarded moment that almost made Evelyne smile.
“It’s nothing, miss,” she said after a beat, the words smooth but a little too quick.
Evelyne hummed. It struck her, suddenly, how little she truly knew about the woman who had been at her side. She knew Vesena was competent. But when it came to opinions, feelings, history she was a locked room with no windows.
Evelyne shifted the conversation lightly. “I suppose the nobility in Varantia is more... gracious?”
Vesena blinked, the faintest crease appearing between her brows. “They are... nobility, my lady.”
Evelyne arched an eyebrow. A non-answer if she had ever heard one.
“You’re close to Cedric, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” Vesena replied. “Though 'close' might be a generous way to put it. He talks far too much. But...” she shrugged, a rare gesture. “I suppose I’m used to it by now.”
Evelyne allowed herself a quiet scoff. “That seems to be a common trait among Varantian men. You’ve known each other for some time, then?”
Vesena nodded. “Since I entered service at the palace. He was Prince Alaric’s personal attendant by then.”
Evelyne hummed. “And what about the rest of your friends?”
The moment the words left her mouth, she winced inwardly.
“That is, if you don’t mind me asking,” she added quickly.
Vesena arched her brow, an expression Evelyne had come to recognize as her version of dry amusement. “I don’t mind, my lady,” she said smoothly. “But there isn’t much to tell.”
Evelyne folded her arms. “I find that hard to believe.”
For a breath, Vesena said nothing. Then she let out a low sigh.
“Therewassomeone,” she admitted, voice faltering. “A long time ago. But it was... complicated.”
She didn’t explain further, but the distance in her eyes said enough.
“Complicated,” Evelyne echoed, more gently this time.
Vesena’s expression had gone distant, unfocused, as though she were watching some private scene unfold in her mind.
“He was a nobleman,” Vesena said at last. “I was not. End of story.”
Evelyne frowned. “That’s a terrible ending.”
Vesena offered a thin smile. “It was a terrible story.”
Evelyne let the silence breathe between them, this time resisting the instinct to fill it with something polite or easy.
“I apologize if I’m being intrusive,” she said. “I just...” She hesitated, the words catching against her ribs, before sighing. “I thought we could use a conversation.”
“You don’t have to apologize,” Vesena said simply. “I know what kind of day it’s been. And what kind of night it will be.”
Evelyne hesitated, then said quietly, “Thank you. For helping me.”
Vesena inclined her head. “Of course.”
“You can… you can absolutely resign. If you ever need to. I would understand. This could put you in danger. It could cause you trouble.”
Vesena looked at her for a moment, then gave a short breath—not quite a laugh, not quite a sigh. “I didn’t come to serve a crown, Your Highness. I came to serveyou. I’m not doing this out of loyalty to a title. I’m glad to be useful.”
