The ballroom was a kaleidoscope of spinning silk and false smiles.
Elian descended the staircase a half-step behind Cassian, his hand resting casually on the hilt of a decorative dagger he didn't know how to use.
The Phantom Silk Suit was doing its job. The nobles whispered, but they didn't sneer. They looked at Elian with confusion.
"Who is that?""A visiting Duke?""He's wearing the Prince's colors..."
[System Effect: Noble Aura Active. Confusion Level: High.]
Count Valdus waited at the bottom of the stairs like a gargoyle in velvet. He didn't bow. He simply stared at Cassian with eyes that looked like they had seen the death of empires.
"Your Highness," Valdus said, his voice dry as parchment. "You are late. The Princess is waiting."
"The Princess can wait," Cassian said coldly. "I was... detained."
Valdus's gaze flicked to Elian. He sniffed the air. He smelled the lingering scent of Royal Alpha on the 'Duke' standing behind the Prince.
