The guards nearby, however, could not help but hesitate. They exchanged uncertain glances before one of them stepped forward and looked toward Ivy.
"Miss Ivy… who exactly is he?"
Before Ivy could even open her mouth, Damien answered proudly, puffing out his chest once again.
"I already told you. I'm Ivy's brother."
But the very next second, Ivy's voice cut through the air like a blade. "He's just a guest."
The guards froze. Damien froze too.
For a brief moment, the world seemed to fall silent.
Damien's face twisted with anger as he pointed a trembling finger at Ivy. "You!"
However, the words died in his throat the moment he met Ivy's eyes. Her gaze was cold.
Cold enough to make the back of his neck prickle with unease.
The anger on his face faltered instantly. The words he wanted to shout were swallowed back as he muttered under his breath in a much smaller voice.
"Ivy… you really need to learn how to show your brother some respect."
Ivy ignored him completely.
