"Immensely," Gabriel repeated, voice dripping with the kind of satisfaction that made Alexandra roll her eyes.
She straightened from the carpet, brushing at the folds of her emerald gown, pale green eyes narrowing. "You look like you're holding court from a sickbed. Honestly, brother, what would the salons say if they saw their Empress like this?"
Gabriel tilted his head against the chair, a smirk tugging at his lips. "That he's still married to the Emperor, and therefore unbothered."
Irina stifled a laugh behind her hand. Arik, uninterested in adult barbs, was scribbling a massive sun over the entire family portrait, ignoring the fact that it covered Alexandra's carefully detailed hair.
"Unbothered," Alexandra repeated, arching a brow. "That's one word for walking like you've survived a duel."
Gabriel let his smirk widen. "At least I survive mine. Do remind me, sister, how is the social world handling the revelation that you are pregnant at last?"
