Chapter 35: An unexpected visit

(Lina)

As soon as Nicholas left, the tension in the room felt like it finally broke. I could breathe again, even if only for a little while. 

The thick tension his presence had created had been suffocating, and now I was free to think, to feel. 

There was a knock on the door again and when I opened it, Kieran was standing there, his familiar grin lighting up his face. He was my friend, the only one I felt I could trust right now.

"Kieran!" I exclaimed, stepping back to let him in. "What are you doing here?"

He shrugged as he entered, casting a glance around the room to ensure we were alone. "Just wanted to check on you. You know Prince Nicholas wanted to keep me under lock and key like some kind of prisoner," He said, a mix of frustration and playfulness in his voice. "He's jealous of our friendship."

I chuckled softly, shaking my head. "Of course he is. He thinks everyone is a threat, especially you."