"Alright, let's move," Lilian said, her voice clipped and final as she finished the last of her preparations.
She adjusted the sleek, silver-edged vambrace on her left forearm one more time, the faint metallic click echoing in the quiet corridor.
One of the escort team members stepped forward, posture rigid with respect.
"Ma'am, the governor is here."
Lilian's lips pressed into a thin line.
A flicker of irritation crossed her features, sharp, fleeting before she smoothed it away behind a practiced mask of calm.
She exhaled slowly through her nose.
"I'll go to him," she told the escort, already turning on her heel.
She found Governor Nick standing near the arched entrance, hands clasped behind his back, the dark fabric of his tailored coat catching the low overhead lights.
His presence seemed to pull all the air in the room toward him.
"Welcome, Governor," Lilian greeted, forcing her mouth into a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
