The Ice Empress Hector knew was someone entirely detached from the concept of romance. She had always been indifferent, an ethereal figure alien to the messy affairs of love. Her cold demeanor served as a natural barrier, keeping the world at arm's length; she rarely let anyone approach her close enough to see past her guard, regardless of whether they were men or women.
There's no way she would actually harbor those kinds of feelings, which was exactly why he had felt so safe tossing out the playful remark in the first place.
But as the seconds ticked by, a peculiar quiet filled the room.
'Wait... why isn't she saying anything?' Hector thought, his internal monologue stalling.
His eyes focused on her, and that was when he caught sight of the deep blush already creeping up her neck, coloring her cheeks a vibrant red.
The sight, along with her lack of response, caught him entirely off guard.
