One afternoon, while exploring the palace gardens, Leila crossed paths with Lord Daelan, an imposing noble known for his sharp wit and unwavering allegiance to tradition. His gaze was intense, scrutinizing her with a mix of curiosity and disdain.
“So, you’re the guest Duke Lucian has so graciously taken in,” he said, his voice dripping with condescension. “Tell me, girl, do you even know your place here?”
Leila swallowed, taken aback by his bluntness but determined not to show weakness. “I’m here under Lucian’s protection. And yes, I know my place.”
Lord Daelan scoffed. “Protection? Perhaps. But people like you disrupt balance. This world isn’t so kind to those who don’t belong.”
Before Leila could respond, Lucian appeared at her side, his gaze cold as steel as he met Daelan’s eyes. “Is there a problem, Lord Daelan?”
Daelan inclined his head, feigning deference. “Not at all, Your Grace. I was merely… offering some advice to your guest.”
Lucian’s tone was firm. “Your advice is neither needed nor welcome. Leila is under my protection, and I expect her to be treated with respect.”
A tense silence hung in the air as Lord Daelan studied them both. Finally, with a curt nod, he turned and walked away, leaving them alone. Leila exhaled, feeling a mix of relief and gratitude.
“Thank you, Lucian,” she murmured, glancing at him with a soft smile.
He returned her gaze, his expression unreadable. “Remember, Leila, you don’t need to prove yourself to people like him. Your place here is not defined by their approval.”
In that moment, she felt a renewed sense of determination. She wasn’t just a guest in this world—she was beginning to claim her own space within it.
YOU ARE READING
Between Realms of Love
RomanceOne drunken mistake-and I found myself in another world, tangled in a whirlwind romance with a noble who seemed too good to be true. For a while, it was everything I'd ever dreamed of. But misunderstandings don't wait, and betrayal shattered it all...
