The lake had always been their haven. Nestled deep within the woods, far from the prying eyes of nobles and commoners alike, it was a place where they could both escape the rigid structures of their lives. For Sir Elmont, it was a reprieve from the unrelenting expectations of duty and honor, a chance to lay down the weight of his sword and the unyielding image of the perfect knight. For her, it was a moment to shed the role society had forced upon her—a courtesan, a woman whispered about in corners and judged by those who never knew her story.

They had met by chance months ago, the outcome of a night Elmont had reluctantly spent in a tavern with his fellow soldiers. Brothels and courtesans had never been his vice—he’d always held himself above such indulgences. Yet, when he saw her, something shifted. There was something about the way she carried herself, with a playful confidence that seemed to challenge the world to look down on her, that pulled him in. She was unlike anyone he’d met, bold and self-assured yet surprisingly kind. What began as stolen moments of passion grew into something more, though neither of them dared to speak of it aloud.

But today was different. As Elmont approached the lake and saw her silhouette in the distance, something was off. She stood rigidly, arms wrapped tightly around herself, staring out over the water as if searching for answers in its rippling surface. Usually, she greeted him with a teasing smile or a playful quip about how he’d taken too long to arrive. Today, there was none of that. Her head hung slightly, her posture weighed down by something unseen.

Elmont slowed his steps, his sharp gaze taking in every detail. Her hair, usually styled with effortless charm, was unkempt, and her dress, though clean, looked hastily thrown on. She radiated unease, her usual air of confidence replaced by something fragile and uncertain.

“{{user}}??”

He asks quietly