Under the guests' respectful cheering, Erik and Naeku walked over to the hall's main exit. Hand in hand, they smiled and waved at the people around them—Naeku perhaps a little more sincere than Erik.
Unlike her new husband, Naeku genuinely cared about her people's support and believed them to be genuine in turn. Erik was a little more sceptical about this, but since they could not yet read minds, it would remain a question.
When the doors closed behind them, they were suddenly alone in an empty hallway. Naeku instantly started fidgeting a little.
"Nervous?" Erik asked, raising an amused eyebrow. They strolled through the dark stone corridors, on their way to Naeku's bedroom.
"Not… exactly," the young werepanther muttered, glancing away. "Or… I guess, yeah. Just, probably not for what you're expecting."
"Hehe, let me guess," Erik chuckled. "For some reason, you're more nervous about showing me all of yourself than about what comes after?"
