Nathan closed the door behind him and stood still for a moment.
Sakura was sitting near the low table with her hands folded tightly in her lap. Her cheeks were burning red, and even though she tried to meet Nathan's gaze, she could not hold it for more than a second before looking down again.
Akiko, on the other hand, had recovered from the embarrassment quickly enough to glare at him.
"You should apologize to the Princess," she said sharply.
The silence in the room broke at once.
Nathan slowly turned his eyes toward her.
He did not raise his voice. He did not move. But something in his stare made Akiko lose the rest of her courage. Her expression faltered, and she turned her face away with a quiet click of her tongue.
Sakura shook her head quickly.
"It is fine, Akiko," she said, her voice soft. "Ryo-sama did not mean to see anything."
Nathan remained quiet.
