Her gaze shifted toward the distant mountainside.
She let out a cackle, then her figure shot away, vanishing from the spot in an instant.
Sensing her departure, the man, who had been meditating to regulate his breathing, quickly opened his eyes. His thoughts were in turmoil, a flicker of panic and hurt in their depths.
Staring at the spot where she had vanished, his hand, hidden beneath his sleeve, clenched into a fist.
'You left me behind again.'
He gritted his teeth in anger.
'Next time, I definitely won't let you get away.'
'A disobedient wife should be locked up.'
He didn't resume his meditation. Instead, he stood up and gazed at the spot where Nerida had disappeared.
Young Lord Aeron stood rooted to the spot, a look of frustration and a hint of grievance in his eyes.
He lowered his head slightly to look at himself, unable to stop a wave of self-doubt.
'Am I really that unattractive?'
'Is my body not good enough? Are my legs not long enough?'
