Aldric looked like he wanted to argue further but saw the determination in her face. "I do trust you. I just don't trust him."
"Then trust that I'm watching him carefully. That I'm not naive. That if he's manipulating me, I'll figure it out." She softened slightly. "Please, Aldric. I need you to support my judgment, not fight it."
He left, clearly unhappy, leaving Seria alone with her thoughts.
She sat in her small apartment, surrounded by evidence of guard corruption and memories of her father's death, and tried to sort through what she actually believed.
Damien was using dark powers. That was undeniable.
But he was fighting demons, exposing corruption, helping her honor her father's memory. Also undeniable.
He made her feel seen, respected, valued for competence rather than questioned for capability. He let her be human without demanding she be perfect.
Was that manipulation? Or genuine connection?
How did you tell the difference?
