"Master! We brought you flowers! White ones this time," Liora announced, her voice echoing in the high-ceilinged dining hall. She hurried toward him, but her excitement died down as she got closer.
She paused, tilting her head as she squinted at his face.
"Master... you look even worse than you did yesterday. Did the mosquito bite you again?"
Julian took a slow breath, trying to steady the slight tremor in his hands. He smoothed his expression into the mask of a calm, collected Master, desperate to keep steady.
"The chill I caught in the garden simply got a little worse overnight, Princess," Julian said, his voice a bit thin. "But I appreciate the gesture. They are very kind."
Cassian stood in the doorway, his eyes narrowing as he took in Julian's pale complexion and the dark circles under his eyes. Julian didn't want them to linger on his appearance, so he gestured to the table.
"Since you are here so early, would you like to join us for breakfast?" Julian asked.
