"That was admirable," Guinevere said once William returned, her tone composed yet sincere. "While the threat level was unexpected, you didn't panic and handled everything flawlessly."
Emma flashed a genuine smile at the assessment, her shoulders easing just a little. She knew Guinevere well enough to recognize the pattern. Whenever praise came this directly, a correction followed close behind. It was not meant to belittle, but to sharpen.
As expected, her instincts did not fail her.
"But," Guinevere continued, her gaze steady, "you neglected the survivors and risked their lives during the battle on the bridge. Your attacks could have harmed them, or worse, left them traumatized."
The air shifted subtly.
William stood with his hands at his sides, posture straight, expression unreadable. He neither defended himself nor acknowledged the criticism outright. To an outsider, it may have seemed like acceptance. In truth, his thoughts were far from aligned with her conclusion.
