"It's fine. I find honesty more valuable than composure." Damien meant it. "And Lyristae? I might not know if I love you as much as you love me. But I want to."
"Really?" Something like longing flickered across her expression.
Damien smiled.
"Really. You deserve more than being loved from the shadows. And I deserve to understand what I actually feel for you without the complication of imminent death."
"That's... I'd like that." Her smile was genuine, warm, carrying none of the careful queen's mask. "Though fair warning – I'm terrible at normal courtship. I've spent so long being strategic about relationships that I'm not sure I remember how to just... date someone."
"I orchestrated almost all events to get Elara. I don't think either of us gets to judge the other for unconventional relationship building."
She laughed – genuine, unguarded. "Fair point. Though at least your manipulation was limited to one iteration. I've been planning this across eighteen."
"That's dedication."
