The bowl of stew was warm, and the kitchen was quiet.
Livar sat on the bench, eating in slow, careful bites.
The woman who had brought him to the palace stood nearby, wiping her hands on her apron.
She had just started to speak—when she noticed someone in the doorway.
Her voice caught.
Her hands dropped.
Her spine straightened instinctively.
"P-Princess Kestra," she said, bowing slightly.
"Is there anything you need, Your Majesty?"
Liora Kestra stepped into the room, arms crossed.
"No," she said, casually.
"I'm just watching him eat."
Liora scoffed.
"She's not scared. She's just… being respectful."
Livar tilted his head.
"She looked like she saw a ghost."
"Well, I'm not a ghost," Liora said, frowning.
"I'm a princess."
Livar blinked again.
"You don't look like one."
She stepped forward.
"What does that mean?"
"You look like a little girl."
Liora's eyes widened.
"Excuse me?!"
"I said what I said."
"We're the same age!"
"I don't believe you."
She pointed to herself with both hands.
"I am NOT a little girl."
"Are you sure?"
Her jaw dropped.
"I'm a princess!"
Livar wiped his mouth calmly with the sleeve of his shirt.
"Okay, okay…"
He stood up and bowed dramatically, voice flat.
"Forgive me, Your Royal Little Princessness."
Liora gasped.
"You're doing this on purpose."
"Doing what?"
"Being annoying."
"No, I'm just being honest."
She marched closer, standing barely a hand taller than him.
"You can't talk like that to royalty!"
Livar raised an eyebrow, then shrugged.
"Alright then. Do you want me to call you 'princess,' or 'little girl'? Or 'Your Highness Tiny Feet'?"
Liora's face turned red.
"I am a princess!"
"Okay. I believe you."
"You'd better!"
"Fine. You're a princess. A little princess."
She huffed.
Then turned around.
Then turned back.
"You're impossible."
Livar walked past her without another word, carrying his empty bowl.
She followed him.
Not because she had to.
But because… she didn't want to stop.
Behind her, the woman who had found Livar smiled softly to herself.
It was the first time she'd seen the girl smile without fear of being misunderstood.
And the first time she'd heard Livar talk this much—ever.
End of Chapter 22 – Princess or Little Girl