'Unrelated—so it's not about Heinz, or me being a consort,' Florian thought with immediate relief.
He exhaled quietly and lifted a hand, gesturing for Elara to continue.
"Go ahead, Duke Elara," Florian said softly, doing his best to sound composed, as if he hadn't just been slowly dying of embarrassment moments ago.
Elara straightened slightly, folding her hands neatly in her lap before speaking. "Regarding your invitees," she began, her tone calm and measured, "I understand why you invited Princess Athena and Princess Scarlett. I'm aware they are close friends of yours."
Oh.
Florian felt the shift immediately.
'I know where this is going,' he thought.
And more importantly—
'I know who this is about.'
Elara's lips curved into a knowing smile. "It seems you already know who I'm going to ask about."
