Vi watched calmly from the sidelines, her hand on the hilt of her sword. Her eyes never strayed from the pair in front of her, an arrogant prince and the princess she's sworn to protect with her life. Princess Caitlyn Kiramman. She felt her insides churn as the prince took Caitlyn’s hand, kissing it with a smug grin. She noticed Caitlyn’s body tense ever so slightly. That was reason enough. With a quick movement, her sword was at the prince’s throat.
“Step back, Your Highness. Any harm that befalls the princess, even a scratch, and you shall face dire consequences,” Vi warned, her voice steady yet tinged with bitterness.
“At ease, Violet,” Caitlyn said smoothly. “He has not harmed me.”
Vi’s eyes narrowed suspiciously at the prince. She glanced at Caitlyn, still keeping her sword pointed at the prince. “Forgive me, my Princess. Your safety is of utmost importance to me. I must ensure he does not take any liberties.”
“He is harmless,” Caitlyn responded, cutting her eyes to the prince, who looked quite upset at the altercation. “I can handle myself.”
A ghost of a smile tugged at Vi’s lipped. “He certainly could not outwit you. I doubt he possesses even a fraction of your intelligence. He has not been the one by your side since childhood. He has not been the one to witness your sharp mind at work. He has not seen your cleverness firsthand.” Vi did her best not to allow her voice to sound too smug. Why was she saying this in the first place? To assert some kind of dominance over this arrogant prince? To remind him that he would never get close enough to Caitlyn Kiramman to rival her?
“Prince Filip,” Caitlyn said graciously, a small smile on her lips from Vi’s words. “Do forgive her. She is quite protective. I look forward to speaking with you again.” Caitlyn curtsied gracefully before sweeping away, leaving him wanting more. The hunger on his face was evident.
Caitlyn made her way to a princess of another neighboring kingdom. Princess Alina. Vi sheathed her sword again, giving a curt bow to the prince before slinking back to the sidelines, watching the new conversation unfold, still observant and protective. She never let her eyes leave Caitlyn. The comfortable conversation was a complete juxtaposition from the conversation with the prince. Caitlyn’s body was completely relaxed as she listened intently at what the princess was saying. The princess was positively shining at this attention. She giggled often, reaching out to brush Caitlyn’s arm with her fingertips. Vi gripped her sword a little tighter, the sight stirring a pang inside of her that she didn’t want to name.
It was undeniable that Caitlyn’s natural charisma seemed much more at home with women. Vi stood there, her duty as a royal guard and her feelings for Caitlyn clashed like a thunderstorm inside of her.
As the ball came to a close, Caitlyn had managed to sway everyone to her side in some form. The connections and alliances built with other crown princes and princesses were imperative to her rise to the throne. Vi couldn’t quite figure out if she loved watching Caitlyn charm everyone or if she hated it.
Vi couldn’t help but notice how Princess Alina’s eyes linger, her smiles are wider, and her laughter is more frequent. She seemed particularly smitten. Vi clenched her jaw, a mix of emotions bubbling in her stomach: pride, protectiveness, and… an intense, unexpected wave of jealousy.
As the ball finished and the royalty trickled out and into their ornate carriages, Vi watched amusedly as Caitlyn attempted to help the castle staff clean up after the party. Despite her attempts, the staff insisted Caitlyn go rest. The atmosphere’s change was palpable, almost like a night and day difference. Vi noticed how the tension eased from Caitlyn’s shoulders, and she took on a more relaxed demeanor. The shift in Caitlyn’s body language illustrated the mask of diplomacy falling away.
Vi approached Caitlyn, her steps measured and deliberate, keeping her gaze on Caitlyn’s slender face. She always found it captivating when Caitlyn would drop her façade of perfect royalty when parties ended, and they were alone again. It was a side few people got to see—the true, unfiltered version of Caitlyn, both vulnerable and strong, regal and humble, all at once.
“Violet, I am absolutely exhausted,” Caitlyn said. “Do you know where Wren is?”
Vi smiled faintly, a hint of understanding in her eyes. The toll of socializing and maintaining a regal image and demeanor was evident in Caitlyn’s voice. “Your handmaiden is waiting in your chambers, Your Highness,” she replied, her voice holding a subtle tone of reassurance. “And I shall escort you there.”
“Lovely,” Caitlyn said with a grin, reaching down under her large ball gown quite inelegantly to pull her heels off, sighing in relief as she held her heels in one hand. Despite the action being somewhat… unbefitting for a princess, Vi couldn’t help but find the display endearing. The sigh of relief had her heart skipping a beat. She inhaled deeply, moving to Caitlyn’s side, her gaze watchful. She discreetly reached out, offering her elbow to lean on in case Caitlyn needed it.
Caitlyn, in turn, glanced down at Vi’s elbow, admiring the chiseled muscle and tattoos that ran down her arms. A warmth spread in her chest at Vi’s attentiveness, as well as the fact that she offered her help but did not force her to take it. It only made her want to. She took Vi’s arm with a gentle touch as they walked down the winding halls of the castle toward Caitlyn’s chambers. The touch sent a shiver down Vi’s spine as they walked in comfortable silence. She couldn't help but glance over at Caitlyn's face, noticing how the exhaustion and relief at shedding her royal façade was evident in her features, giving her a more vulnerable and… beautiful appearance. Vi's hand itched as she resisted the urge to reach out and tuck a strand of loose hair behind Caitlyn’s ear. Her fingers twitched with the desire to make some sort of contact.
“I really can't wait to get out of this dress. If this dress weren't so… damn expensive… I'd ask Wren to just… rip it off of me,” Caitlyn muttered under her breath. Vi almost snorted. The picture in her mind at such a request was… oddly captivating. It took every ounce of effort within her not to allow her mind to go down that path.
“I’m sure Wren would happily oblige, my princess,” Vi murmured. “But let’s try not to damage the dress. No matter how much you might want to.”
Caitlyn sighed, waving her hand in the air with a grin. “I know, I know. I’ll take it off demurely.”
Vi swallowed thickly, a rush of heat surging through her, her heart thumping loudly in her chest. I hope she can’t hear it. The image of Caitlyn slowly and demurely removing her dress, her slender fingers slipping the fabric off her shoulders… The thought alone is enough to drive me insane.
Clearing her throat, Vi tried to maintain some semblance of professionalism, her voice a little rougher than usual. “That’s… practical, my princess,” she managed, her eyes flickering over Caitlyn’s form again.
As they reached Caitlyn’s bedchambers, Vi scanned their surroundings out of habit, her eyes darting across the room, looking for any possible threats or any signs of anything amiss. Wren, the everpresent handmaiden, stood by the bedside, a small smile gracing her lips at their entrance. Her eyes flicked toward Vi, a silent understanding passing between them at a single glance.
“I’ve missed your face, my dearest Wren,” Caitlyn exclaimed, sweeping into the room. “I need this dress off as soon as you can manage.”
Wren’s smile widened at Caitlyn’s eager exclamation, her eyes sparkling with affection. She stepped forward, deftly loosening the laces of the ornate ball gown, her fingers expertly working on the intricate ties.
“I can’t wait to get into something more comfortable,” Caitlyn sighed, standing patiently as Wren undid the dress.
Wren nodded, her hands never ceasing their steady work on the laces. Her eyes flickered to meet Caitlyn’s in the mirror. “Ah, the simple comfort of everyday clothes. Much preferred to cumbersome ball gowns.”
“You get it,” Caitlyn nodded.
“And how has your night been, Vi?” Wren asked, looking up to meet Vi’s eyes. “Still in correspondence with the general of Demacia?”
“Yes, we sent a blimp that way with supplies to aid them a few weeks ago,” Vi answered, eyes never leaving Caitlyn.
“An airship,” Caitlyn murmured.
“What?”
“An airship has a rigid metal hull. It’s… not a blimp,” Caitlyn said awkwardly.
“You’re right, Your Highness,” Vi said with a nod. She found it absolutely endearing when Caitlyn sort of… geeked out. The sight of Caitlyn standing so relaxed brought a sense of comfort and peace to Vi as she stood guard at the door. Her eyes lingered on Caitlyn a little longer than necessary, a hint of affection in her eyes.
As the dress fell to the ground, Vi could not help but notice the way Caitlyn’s muscles flexed as she stretched languidly, finally free of the cumbersome dress. It was a display of restrained power, a subtle strength beneath her elegance. Her physical strength often went unnoticed or underappreciated, but Vi couldn’t help but both notice and appreciate it more than necessary.
Wren, ever observant, caught Vi’s eye with a knowing smile before hurrying to fetch a simple dress for Caitlyn to change into.
“I feel like the earth itself has been lifted off my shoulders,” Caitlyn sighed with relief.
Wren smiled, a simple dress clutched in her hands. “I can imagine, my princess,” she said, her voice gentle and sympathetic as she handed Caitlyn the dress.. “You were carrying the weight of not just the dress, but the weight of your responsibilities and your regal image all evening.”
Vi remained by the door, her eyes vigilant once again, but she found herself faltering as she watched the tension from Caitlyn’s shoulders lessen.
“And now I am renewed in the simplicity of being with my closest friends,” Caitlyn said, tossing the dress on the bed with a flourish before digging through her drawers to find trousers to wear instead. She chose a simple black slim-fitting turtleneck and black trousers. The gold accent on her belt stood out against the dark material of the rest of her outfit. “Much better.”
A small smile tugged at the corners of Vi’s lips at Caitlyn’s actions and words. She had now fully shed her royal façade and stood there as simply…herself.
“Trousers?” Wren teased, a hint of amusement in her voice. “What will Piltover’s royal court think, seeing their Crown Princess preferring trousers over dresses?”
“Royal court this, royal court that. I just want to be comfortable,” Caitlyn answered, sitting down on the bed.
Both Wren and Vi laughed. They both have long since gotten used to Caitlyn’s unconventional preferences. “I want you to be comfortable, too, my princess,” Wren said fondly. “I just worry about the old traditionalists who might clutch their pearls at the sight of you in trousers!”
“They won’t see. I’m just in my bedroom, no?” Caitlyn answered, a glimmer in her eye.
“True,” Wren conceded. “I doubt the old traditionalists will storm your bedroom to judge your choice of attire.
“Dame Violet,” Caitlyn said suddenly, turning to the royal guard at the doorway.
At the mention of her name, Vi’s heart hammered in her chest, the sound of her title and name on Caitlyn’s lips sending a thrill through her. She straightened up slightly, her gaze locking onto Caitlyn’s. “Yes, my princess?” she responded, her voice steady and respectful despite the storm inside of her.
“I think I’d like to take a walk through the gardens with you.”
Vi nodded, her expression serious once again as she forced professionalism. She pushed off the frame of the door, taking a few steps into the room, her eyes scanning the space. “Of course, my princess,” she replied. “I will ensure your safety during the walk.”
“Lovely,” Caitlyn said with a nod. “Wren, would you like to come? Or would you prefer your alone time?”
Wren eyed the two women for a moment, gauging the situation. She smiled and shook her head, giving Vi a knowing smile. “I think I’ll let you two go without me. I will retire to my quarters for the night. I can rest well knowing you are in good hands with Dame Violet.”
“Let’s go then, Dame Violet,” Caitlyn said softly.
The idea of time alone with Caitlyn made Vi pause for a moment, her heart skipping a beat. She recovered quickly, her expression betraying nothing. “After you,” she said, keeping her voice even.
As they fell into step through the corridors, Caitlyn was the first to break the silence. “Wren seems fond of you.”
Vi kept her stride precise and measured, her gaze still watchful as she scanned the surroundings for any potential threats. At Caitlyn’s comment, a small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Yes, Wren and I have been acquainted for quite some time after having been assigned on your personal team.”
Caitlyn nodded. “You seem to understand each other well. I am happy that you are each the closest to me.”
Caitlyn’s words touched Vi’s heart, bringing a sense of pride and gratitude. Vi nodded, her gaze briefly meeting Caitlyn’s as they continued walking side by side, the night air cool around them. Despite Vi’s habit of keeping a watchful eye, a subtle sense of intimacy surrounded the two women as they walked. “It is an honor to serve you. And to be considered your…” Vi paused for a moment, hesitating. “Your closest companion.”
“Friend,” Caitlyn said, touching Vi’s arm gently.
Vi’s breath hitched for a moment, and her heartbeat sped up. Caitlyn’s gentle correction—”Friend”—makes something stir within Vi, a mix of emotions that she quickly tried to push aside. “Friend,” she repeated, the word feeling significant on her tongue. “Yes, friend.” A brief pause settled between them as Vi’s words trailed off, hanging in the air. Vi swallowed hard, her eyes briefly flicking down to where Caitlyn’s hand still rested on her arm.
“The weather is so nice,” Caitlyn murmured. Vi nodded in agreement, her eyes sweeping across the gardens.
The night was pleasant, the air was cool and slightly fragrant from the flora, and the stars were bright above them. The soft sounds of crickets and other nighttime creatures filled the air, creating a peaceful ambiance. Despite the tranquility of the moment, Vi couldn’t help but keep her guard up, her senses perfectly attuned to the surroundings. “The weather is ideal,” she replied softly. “Perfect for a late-night stroll in the gardens.”
“I love getting to feel more like myself for a little while,” Caitlyn said with a soft grin, gesturing to her outfit.
Caitlyn’s grin was infectious, and Vi found herself smiling more naturally as well. It was appealing to hear the princess speak so candidly about her preferences. “Feel more like yourself, huh?” Vi mused, her eyes studying Caitlyn in the soft light of the moon. “And who is yourself? The princess? Or the young woman who prefers trousers?”
“Both,” Caitlyn answered simply. “I am not one or the other, but both and everything in between.” She ran her hands over her arms, feeling toned muscle beneath the soft fabric. “I am the girl who can lift a horse, but I am also the girl who looks at the stars with childlike wonder.”
Vi’s eyes followed the movement of Caitlyn’s hands, noticing the faint outline of muscle beneath the slim-fitting shirt. It was a sight that Vi, as a royal guard, is not supposed to notice, not supposed to admire. But she couldn’t help herself. And Caitlyn’s words only served to deepen her admiration for the strength and vulnerability that she wasn’t afraid to show. “A princess who can lift a horse and admire the stars,” Vi murmured, her voice holding a hint of wonder. “You are truly one of a kind, Your Highness.”
“A princess who befriends her personal guard and her handmaiden.”
“A princess who is jacked and kind,” Vi added.
“A princess I hope is worthy of being Queen one day,” Caitlyn murmured.
Vi felt her heart thump against her ribcage as if trying to escape. It wasn’t just the image of Caitlyn as a strong and capable future queen that was exciting her, but the way Caitlyn spoke of their relationship as friends. It was a role Vi had striven for, a place by Caitlyn’s side that went beyond mere duty. “A Queen who values loyalty and kindness.”
“What made you become a knight, Violet?” Caitlyn asked softly as she headed towards the hedge maze. “After all, you were the closest thing to royalty Zaun had, but you chose to come here.”
The question struck a chord within Vi, making her pause for a moment as they approached the hedge maze. To be closer to you. But she couldn’t say that. “The desire to protect,” she answered, still opting for honesty.
“You are brave, Violet,” Caitlyn murmured, her footsteps light on the grass.
Caitlyn’s praise, her trust… It's both comforting and exhilarating. Vi followed closely behind Caitlyn in the maze, her own footsteps quiet and measured. Well into the maze, Vi responds, “And I am devoted to you.”
Caitlyn looked up, her eyes betrayed a glint of pain. “Devoted to me,” she murmured. But not in the way I desire.
The slight change in Caitlyn’s eyes and the hint of pain in her voice does not go unnoticed. Vi paused her stride, her heart clenching. She wanted to reach out, but she swallowed down her feelings, forcing them back down again. I am her guard, not her suitor. I have a duty, a role to fill. I can’t be thinking these things.
“Do you ever wish you’d chosen a different path?” Caitlyn asked, squatting down to pick a dandelion. “Like staying in Zaun?”
Vi paused at the question, caught off guard by its directness. She watched silently as Caitlyn lowered herself to pick the dandelion, the image stirring something within her. She kept her eyes locked on Caitlyn. She could lie, give the usual response. The dutiful, expected answer. But in this moment, under the stars and surrounded by the quiet of the night, Vi didn’t want to. She chose honesty instead. “Sometimes,” she confessed, her voice low and rougher.
“Me too,” Caitlyn whispered. “I sometimes wish that I…” She clutched the dandelion gently. “I sometimes wish that I were not the Crown Princess. Or a princess at all.”
The confession causes Vi’s breath to catch in her throat. She’d never heard Caitlyn speak like this before. It breaks down Vi’s defenses, making her want to reach out and comfort Caitlyn. “You wish… you wish you were not the Crown Princess?” Vi echoed, her voice soft yet filled with surprise.
“Every choice I make is for the good of Piltover,” Caitlyn said, stepping toward Vi with the dandelion in hand. “I don’t get to make choices for myself.”
Vi watched as Caitlyn stepped closer, the dandelion still clutched in her hand. Caitlyn’s words hang in the air between them, spoken softly but filled with longing and frustration. “You’re always thinking of your kingdom,” Vi murmured, her eyes on the dandelion, then on Caitlyn again. “But then, who is thinking of you, my princess?”
“Only you,” Caitlyn murmured back. “And Wren.” She reached over and tucked the dandelion behind Vi’s ear with a tender touch. “Yellow looks good with pink.”
A shiver ran down Vi’s spine, a strange mix of emotions welling up within her.
Caitlyn’s words…
Caitlyn’s touch…
They were both comforting and maddening at the same time. Vi wanted to reach out and pull her closer, but she restrained herself, her hand clenching at her side. The compliment made her heart hammer in her chest. “You’re too kind,” Vi managed to reply, her voice a little huskier than usual. “It’s… it’s only a dandelion.”
“Yes, a dandelion,” Caitlyn repeated softly. “A flower that is often seen as a weed. A flower that can grow even in less than ideal conditions—even if they are unwanted there.” The unspoken meaning behind Caitlyn’s words hung in the air between them.
Vi’s gaze flickered to the dandelion tucked behind her ear, a stark contrast to her pink hair. She reached up to touch it, feeling the smoothness of the stem against her calloused fingers.
As they reached the center of the maze with its ornate fountain and marble benches, Caitlyn spoke again. “While you are a dame, you are still an eligible noblewoman. Do you intend to marry?”
This question caught Vi entirely off guard, making her heart skip a beat. This must be why ribs are cages. Vi’s heart was trying to escape like a monster trapped against its will. Her composure began to slip. “I… I…” Vi spluttered, her usual cool demeanor replaced by a moment of flustered surprise. She quickly gathered her thoughts, her eyes on Caitlyn as they stood in the center of the maze. “I’ve… never really thought about it.”
“It is all I think about,” Caitlyn murmured. “It is a choice that is… not my own.”
Caitlyn’s words sent a pang through Vi’s chest. She knew deep down that marriage for Caitlyn was a duty, a political matter rather than a choice. That is just how it was for royalty. But it caused her protective instincts to flare. She took a step closer, her eyes on Caitlyn, filled with a silent fury at the thought of Caitlyn’s future being out of her hands. “That’s not right,” she muttered, her voice rough around the edges. “You… you should be able to choose for yourself. Your own happiness should come first.”
“It is alright. Even if I had the choice, the one I love does not love me the way I desire,” Caitlyn murmured. “Mother says marriage is a transaction.”
Vi’s heart clenched at the resignation in Caitlyn’s voice. Love is supposed to be about passion, about connection, about free will. But there Caitlyn was, resigned to convenience. A transaction.
Without realizing it, Vi took another step closer, closing the distance between them. Vi met Caitlyn’s eyes, filled with a mix of emotions—fury, protectiveness, and… something else. “But that’s not fair,” Vi whispered. “You… you deserve more than a transaction. You deserve love.”
“I know it isn’t fair,” Caitlyn whispered back, admiring the dandelion against the pink hair. “I could perhaps convince my father, but I could never convince the one I love.”
Caitlyn’s admission made Vi’s heart ache. The resignation of her voice, the acceptance of one-sided love. She reached up to touch the dandelion again, Caitlyn’s admiration for it sending a shiver down her spine. But her words filled Vi with a sense of determination. Not for herself, but for Caitlyn, and the words tumbled out of her mouth before she could stop them. “Then… then I’ll convince them for you.”
Caitlyn shook her head, a sad smile on her face. “What about you? Do you love anyone?”
Vi paused, the question throwing her off balance. Love? Me? But in that moment, gazing into Caitlyn’s eyes, she knew her answer. Yes, I love. I love the girl standing in front of me. “Yes,” she murmured, her voice soft. “Yes, I love someone very much.”
“You are very lucky,” Caitlyn said softly. “To love. To have a chance at it.”
Caitlyn’s words of acceptance only serve to deepen the ache in Vi’s chest. Caitlyn thought she was lucky. That she was fortunate to love. But Vi couldn’t help but see the irony—to think luck had eluded her. “I… I wouldn’t say lucky,” Vi murmured, her voice cracking slightly. She took a step closer, her body nearly touching Caitlyn’s now, the dandelion in her hair nearly brushing against locks of navy hair.
Caitlyn swallowed, walking over to one of the ostentatious marble benches and sitting down demurely. “You wouldn’t?”
Vi followed Caitlyn to the bench, sitting next to her. Their thighs nearly touched. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart. “No,” she murmured, looking at Caitlyn’s profile as the moonlight bathed her features in a soft glow. “I wouldn’t. Because… because the person I love is the one person I can never have.”
“You could have anyone,” Caitlyn murmured. “Whoever it is that you love.”
Vi’s heart clenched. The certainty in Caitlyn's voice… the blind faith she had in Vi’s ability to secure her love. If only you knew…
Vi clenched her fists, restraining herself from reaching for Caitlyn’s hand, from confessing her true feelings.
“You could have anyone in the world,” Caitlyn whispered. “Nobody can look at you and not be in love.”
Vi swallowed the pain in her throat. Those words… They both comforted her and made her want to laugh in bitter disbelief. No one can look at me and not be in love? If only you knew how wrong you were. “You’re exaggerating,” Vi murmured, forcing a pretense of a smile on her face.
“I am not,” Caitlyn insisted. “Anyone in the world at all. I am not so fortunate. The one I love would never love me back.”
Caitlyn’s words. Her conviction. They made Vi’s heart ache. The pain in her voice, acknowledging that the one she loved did not love her back… it echoed Vi’s own predicament. Her own secret pain.
But she had to keep her feelings in check. Her hands clenched at her trousers as she looked up at Caitlyn. “Can I ask… Can I ask who it is? The person that you love.” Princess Alina? Or perhaps that snotty prince from before?
Caitlyn paused for a moment, considering it. She then leaned down to pick another dandelion from under the bench—a sheltered one as opposed to the one that grew freely in the maze. She then tucked it carefully behind her own ear.
Vi didn’t quite catch on. She was too busy fighting her racing heart at the warm sight. Vi bit her lip, maintaining her composure as she kept her gaze on Caitlyn. The silence hung in the air between them, filled with unspoken words, secrets, and longing. She forced herself to speak, her voice low and a little rough. “Is it someone from court? Someone I know?”
Caitlyn looked away in hopes that Vi wouldn’t catch the tears welling in her eyes. The gesture did not go unnoticed by Vi, who felt her heart lurch. She could see the glint of tears in Caitlyn’s blue eyes, a sight that almost broke her heart right then and there. Without thinking, Vi reached out instinctively, wanting to comfort and console, but she stopped herself, pulling her hand back, the gesture half-completed and hanging awkwardly in the air. “It’s alright…” Vi murmured, her voice filled with pain. “You don’t have to say-”
“I have already said,” Caitlyn whispered. “But…”
“But?” Vi echoed, her voice just as soft, filled with anticipation and dread.
“But you did not understand.”
Vi’s breath caught in her throat… She wanted to understand, to know. But deep down, she also wanted to run away. To keep running and never look back. “Then… then help me understand,” Vi murmured, her voice trembling slightly. “Please…”
Caitlyn exhaled slowly, looking into Vi’s eyes carefully, searching for something. With resolve, she pointed to the dandelion tucked behind Vi’s ear, then at the one tucked behind her own ear. Her eyes filled with vulnerability, as if begging Vi to understand.
The gesture, the dandelion in Vi’s hair mirroring the one in Caitlyn’s… The look in Caitlyn’s eyes and the raw vulnerability and desperation, begging her to understand. Vi could practically hear her heartbeat in her ears, a mix of realization and disbelief crashing over her. Her eyes widen, her breath catches in her throat.
Caitlyn kept her careful gaze on Vi, waiting. Watching.
The realization dawned upon Vi slowly, but once she realized, it hit her like a wave. It was overwhelming and exhilarating all at the same time. Her heart hammered in her chest, begging to be set free. Her breath was quick and shallow. She swallowed hard, trying to find her voice.
“You… It’s… It’s me,” Vi murmured in disbelief and awe. “Isn’t it?”
Caitlyn nodded, her voice soft and delicate. “It’s always been you.”