Northstar Vale It's a secret I keep tucked inside my chest

Of course she wouldn’t have an idea as to why her son would challenge him, Noctaryn had done his best to conceal what lied so reverently in his heart: his feelings for the Matriarche. But how could a half breed such as himself think he could court someone like her?

He let loose a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding at her question, the weight of it heavy in his chest.

I, uh…well, because he thought that I was in love with you. If I had won, my prize was to have the ability to court you. He left unsaid the outcome, allowing her a moment to process what had transpired. His gaze left hers, suddenly unable to look her in the eyes, afraid of what he would see there. Instead, he looked to the sky, feigning interest in the clouds as they blew by.