"Y-Young master!"
"Please wake up—young master!"
Liana's voice cracked as she gently patted his cheek. Her hands trembled. His face was pale, lips dry, and his body.
"Hot…" she whispered. "He's burning up…"
She looked to Gloria with growing panic.
Gloria pressed her fingers to his neck, then his forehead. A moment of silence.
Then she stood up, turned to the stunned guests, and gave a calm, elegant bow.
"Pardon the disturbance," she said with a composed voice that only slightly betrayed her anxiety. "This is our young master, Javier. Son of Count Garius De Armand. It seems he simply… missed us too much."
A few nobles blinked.
Some chuckled.
Genevieve gasped dramatically and sniffled. "How touching…"
Liana resisted the urge to cry.
Gloria gave another short bow. "Please continue the celebration. We'll see to him at once."
The music slowly picked back up.
