Chapter 40: Goodbye

Prince Stephano's words felt like a slap to the face and Leonor held a hand to her cheek as if he had hit her. 

"What do you mean?" she asked in disbelief.

Having him by her side that day made her feel less lonely. Even if the only thing they had in common between them was care for Valerio, it was enough for her. He was the only person who knew what happened those few months ago. Without him, it felt like no one understood her. 

Prince Stephano could see that he had hurt her but already concluded what he must do for the foreseeable future. People associated with him would be in danger. Now that she was in Magia, she would be safer than in Burien. 

As long as her father believed there was a chance he would come back for her, that was all he needed to assure her safety. Her bastard of a father would be on his toes about anything regarding the Royal Family. He was the type of brown noser he hoped to get rid of when he became a ruler in the future.