Chapter 81: Woe Is Me!

"Your Grace, you have been wearing quite a grim expression since early morning. Is something troubling you?"

Stanis scrutinized his lord's dark countenance once more, his curiosity piqued by the unusual distress. It was evident that from the moment the man stepped out of the castle, he exuded an invisible yet ominous aura of gloom, unsettling to anyone who dared to glance at him even briefly.

Upon hearing his assistant's observation, Tillian flinched, tightly clutching the reins of his horse, suddenly aware of his own expression. He furrowed his eyebrows and shook his head, releasing a long sigh.

"Nothing of real consequence, but I seem to have inadvertently created another awkward situation between the princess and myself."

"What did you do this time?" Stanis inquired, his tone heavy with exasperation.

Another heavy sigh escaped Tillian's lips. 

"I didn't do anything wrong per se, but... Aideen saw the letter from my mentor the other night."