Life on the south side of the continent with Haruki was mostly peaceful for Lanling. It was the peace he had longed for, the kind he now treasured.
But from time to time, traces of his past crept in, threatening to disturb their quiet life.
Like running into Verdan alone in the marketplace.
"Why are you here?!"
Lanling almost dropped the basket of fruit in his arms. His initial frustration quickly turned to panic as he glanced toward Haruki, relief washing over him when he saw him distracted—caught up in an old fisherman's enthusiastic pitch about the freshness of his catch.
Turning back to Verdan, Lanling closed the distance between them with brisk steps.
"Again, why are you here—!"
He tried to keep his voice down, but the bustle of the market made it clear Verdan might not hear him.
"That should be my question, Your Highness! What are you doing in this village? Shouldn't you be off honeymooning with your newly appointed knight?"
