I quickly bowed my head.
"I greet you, Duke Draken."
The man regarded me with calm, assessing eyes.
"No need to stand," Duke Draken said, his voice low and clipped. "You're barely recovered. Sit."
I hesitated for only a second before obeying, slowly lowering myself back onto the bed, careful not to show how much it still hurt. I wasn't stupid. Defying a direct order from a high noble—especially this one—wasn't brave. It was suicidal.
Still, I kept my gaze low, my posture respectful.
"I've heard the full report," he said after a pause. "You used the return stone on my daughter instead of yourself."
His tone gave nothing away. No anger. No praise. Just… observation. A statement of fact.
"Yes, Your Grace," I said, quietly.
Silence stretched for a moment.
Then—
"That was not your duty."
My heart skipped a beat.
Cold sweat began to pool at the back of my neck.
