Most people looked at her with ill intent—whether out of ambition, politics, or something else entirely. It made sense, he supposed. A princess wasn't just a person; she was a symbol, a prize, a stepping stone for those seeking power. He had never cared much for nobility or their tangled games, but the way she spoke of it, so matter-of-factly, made it sound… exhausting. Like being caught in an endless performance where every move was scrutinized, and every word was weighed for its consequences.
That kind of life sounded utterly tiresome.
