*************
Mikael froze for a brief moment as those words sank in.
Then—
"However,"
Scarlette paused.
Her gaze shifted back toward Emir.
The old man was still struggling weakly against the threads, refusing to give up despite the futility of his actions. Each movement only tightened his bindings further.
And still—
She watched him.
Unwavering.
Silent.
She looked away from the restrained old man and shifted her gaze toward the young noble standing before her. Beneath the veil that concealed half of her face, Scarlette's expression remained unreadable, yet there was a subtle firmness in the way her crimson eyes settled on Mikael.
She knew that what she was about to say would be harsh—especially for someone as young as him.
But even so, she did not hesitate.
Because Scarlette believed in Mikael's resolve.
Not merely as the Fourth Young Master of the Everette Household…
But as something far greater.
