The city was in celebration. The King himself had declared the group heroes for exposing the corruption of the Verican estate.
In the royal courtyard, the ceremony was ending. Robert had been officially cleared of all "thief" charges and granted the title of Shadow Knight—a specialized protector of the realm.
Marin’s family was there in full force. Her brothers, Marcus and Marek, stood with their arms crossed, looking skeptical but impressed. Malric stood beside them, still eyeing Robert with intense suspicion.
"Well," Marin said, stepping toward Robert as the crowds began to disperse. "I suppose you're an 'honest man' now, Sir Robert."
Robert looked at her, the setting sun catching the edge of his new silver cloak. "I was always honest with you, Marin. I just didn't have the paperwork to prove it."
He stepped closer, invading her personal space in that way that always made her heart race. Malric stepped forward, his mouth opening to deliver a lecture on "proper social distance," but he was too late.
Robert leaned in and, with a quick, daring motion, kissed Marin firmly on the lips.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Marek let out a bark of shocked laughter.
Marcus looked like he was about to faint.
Malric’s jaw dropped so low it nearly hit his chest, his face turning a shade of purple that was medically concerning.
Marin pushed Robert away, her face glowing a brighter red than the gem ever had. "You... you’re impossible!" she stammered, frantically adjusting her gauntlet.
Robert merely smirked, the weight of his past finally gone. "Some things are worth the risk, Knight."
He gave a sharp salute to the fuming Malric and vanished into the shadows of the palace pillars, leaving a blushing Marin and a chaotic Montclair family behind him.
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