"Thank you. Truly. For what you did back there."
Vanessa said, as she politely bowed.
"You really didn't have to step in. That situation… I was planning to handle it myself. Even if the outcome wouldn't have been good, the responsibility was mine to bear."
The boy nodded, as well.
Only then did Ruvian lift his gaze. His eyes caught theirs, steady, reading all the things showing on their faces.
Gratitude. Guilt. And fear shadowing both. And beneath it all, the confusion of people who couldn't quite grasp why he, of all people, had interfered and provoked Julian.
'Well, I don't mind them thanking me… but honestly, I didn't do it for them, to be honest. I did it for my own selfish reasons.'
Ruvian sighed.
"Don't apologise," he said, tone flat as ever.
"It was always going to come to this either way."
'Huh? What does he mean by that?'
Vanessa's brows creased slightly, lips parting, her protest loading on her tongue. But Ruvian spared her the effort.
He cut her first.
