Lance, standing at his side, lowered his gaze in thought.
"This matter," he said slowly, "may not be as simple as it appears. In the past, Lady Caelith avoided the heir whenever she could—yet now she shows such concern for his marriage arrangements. It seems… inconsistent. There may well be another purpose behind her actions."
Having served long at Rhaegar's side, Lance understood his lord better than most. He had already discerned that Caelith held a place in Rhaegar's mind unlike any other—and thus knew how easily even a shadow of misunderstanding could unsettle him.
His words struck true.
Rhaegar's gaze darkened briefly, then sharpened with clarity.
A woman who recoiled from Dorian's presence would never willingly trouble herself over his affairs.
"No," he said at last, voice low and decisive. "There is more to this."
He turned slightly, the authority in his tone unmistakable.
"Send men at once. I want every detail. Whatever she is planning—I want to know it."
