Frightened Cat

Azel hated this situation and he would've given anything to return to that inn days ago where they were once strangers, freely addressing each other without constraints.

For him, it was better than being here in Veldon Castle, as a man holding a higher position than she did, and seeming to demand respect.

It pained him to allow her address him as 'lord.' Still, it was better than hearing the overly formal 'your Grace' from her lips.

But Azel couldn't deny that he relished the expression on her face when he requested she address him as such. The way her nostrils flared never failed to amuse him.

"'Lord,' is it?" She asked, boldly glaring at him, and his chest tingled.

To know that she wasn't being entirely formal... entirely respectful, that she was still openly staring daggers at him the same way she did when they had first met, brought him a small sense of relief.