Malvoria stepped out of her chambers with a satisfied smirk still tugging at her lips, the lingering heat of the conversation with Elysia making her feel… pleased.
Not just because she had successfully rattled the stubborn princess—though that was certainly an enjoyable bonus—but because Elysia hadn't denied her words.
She hadn't said no.
She hadn't told Malvoria to stop.
And that, more than anything, told Malvoria everything she needed to know.
As she shut the heavy door behind her, exhaling through her nose, she turned—
Only to come face-to-face with her mother's knowing smirk.
Malvoria froze.
Her expression dropped into something flat and unamused.
Her mother, standing there with her arms crossed, one elegant brow raised, looked entirely too entertained for Malvoria's liking.
"Well, well," her mother hummed, tilting her head slightly. "Took you long enough."
Malvoria blinked. "What?"
