Chapter 54

I couldn't allow anything to pass by without scrutiny, not even his captivating eyes and charming smile. At that point, it felt like a transgression, particularly because I was now privy to all his deceptions.

For quite a while we had been sparring...training in what I could describe as frustrating. The tension, sweat, force, and anger in each thrust of swords were intense. At one point, I lost, consecutively after we resumed our fighting, but I was thankful that the deal had already been sealed.

When we took our break, I couldn't help but glance at him every now and then, and he was doing it as well. I craned my attention immediately, especially when we made contact. Although I could sense his want to stay closer to me, he knew that I wouldn't want to talk to him. Maybe I was showing anger unknowingly, maybe it was the way I looked at him, but somehow he knew that I was mad.

I tried to plaster my smile back again, but that proved to be a