"It wasn't an alteration, Elara; it was a maintenance request," Julian replied, his ice-blue eyes fixed on her face with an analytical, cool amusement. "I am living in that wing, after all. If my quarters turn into a sauna, it reduces my sleep quality, which ultimately reduces my efficiency as a 'legal asset' during the upcoming solstice ceremony. I am just protecting your investment."
From the shadows of the doorway, Mahir's ears pinned back instantly. He had followed Elara to the conservatory as part of his routine escort duty, and seeing the silver-haired prince standing so casually in her vicinity made his tail lash once against the doorframe.
Julian didn't even flinch at the sound. He kept his gaze locked on Elara, his posture completely relaxed, showing that he had fully accepted the rules of her game—but he was still going to play it on his own terms.
