章 95: Apologies, Asterisks, and Awkwardness

The royal carriage bumped along the winding road to the Academy, the lush, dark forests stretching endlessly outside the windows. Liria sat stiffly across from Enara, her chin propped on her hand, while Ananara perched on the seat beside her, radiating his usual haughty disdain.

Enara leaned forward, her piercing midnight eyes narrowing. "You've been fidgeting since we left. Spill it. What's wrong?"

Liria blinked at her, startled. "What? Nothing's wrong. I'm fine."

"Liria." Enara's tone was sharp enough to cut through steel. "You're the worst liar I've ever met. Something's clearly bothering you."

Ananara didn't even bother looking up. "She's probably just nervous about being dragged back to face Seraphis. Honestly, if I had any semblance of pride, I'd jump out of this moving carriage before groveling to that woman."

"I'm not groveling," Liria shot back defensively, though her shoulders stiffened at the mention of the principal. "I'm just—"