Chapter 98

• Crossing my arms over my chest, I released a sheepish huff, feeling the warmth of a small, stubborn pride settling into my cheeks. “Well, I think it’s nice.”
• We continued to stroll through the small furniture section nestled in the far corner of the marketplace, the late morning sun filtering in through the high windows and casting long, lazy shadows over the polished wooden floor. My steps quickened with growing excitement as I moved from piece to piece, carefully selecting colorful additions I hoped would brighten up the cold stone walls of the castle.
• Ruth trailed behind me like a looming storm cloud, quietly voicing her disapproval into my ear with every choice I made. Her words were sharp and dry, laced with sarcastic undertones that made it difficult to tell whether she was genuinely appalled or simply entertained. The guard at our side, who had thus far been a stoic shadow, eventually joined her with an amused huff. And just like that, the teasing escalated.