Heena stood a few feet away, expression mildly curious, as though she'd just stumbled across something only slightly interesting.
All five consorts immediately straightened, faces smoothing into neutral masks.
"Greetings, Your Majesty," they said in unison, bowing slightly.
Heena completely ignored them.
She walked directly to Larus, eyes scanning his face. "Are you alright?"
Larus's expression crumbled slightly—just for a second, just enough for her to see. He bit his lip and nodded, but the motion was tight, controlled, like he was holding something back.
Heena's eyes narrowed.
He looked like a scolded kitten trying very hard not to cry.
She turned slowly to face her five consorts.
Her expression went cold.
"Oh," she said lightly, voice pleasant in the way that meant absolutely nothing good, "you're all here too. How lovely."
She tilted her head.
"Why," she asked, still smiling, "are you making our prince cry?"
Silence.
