Third Person's POV
He could still see the pity in their eyes, but he knew that, unlike the crowd, it was not pity for her, but pity for him.
That alone put him on guard, as he knew that there was no way such brazen arrogance and such unchecked madness that the Sangrial girl had could exist in a place like the Abyssal Sanctum without someone powerful shielding her from consequence.
Someone with enough influence to embolden her recklessness, and to nurture her rotten pride into a weapon, and that someone was here.
And this meant that his slap was not the end of this matter, but it was only the beginning.
Knowing full well that this incident was far from over, Ethan still felt no real concern as he trusted in his own strength, and besides, he wasn't alone.
There were many allies who stood at his side and were silent assurances that he would weather any storm that tried to engulf him.
Just then, a prickle of awareness crept across his skin.
A cold gaze had settled on him.
