Lyra's POV
My lips parted to respond when Kaelen interrupted with razor-sharp precision.
"Don't corner her, Mother."
The protective tone in his voice left me uncertain whether he was shielding me from embarrassment or simply preventing whatever truth I might reveal. Yet the words had already begun forming in my mind, rising to the surface before I could contain them.
"He's stubborn," I stated plainly.
Rowena's eyebrows arched with interest. Kaelen's fork froze midway to his mouth.
The floodgates opened. "Short-sighted. And he borders on cruelty."
A harsh laugh escaped Kaelen as he dropped his utensil onto his plate with deliberate force. "Borders on?"
I exhaled slowly, studying the porcelain before me. My fingertips worried the fabric of my napkin. "Though he does possess admirable traits."
