Marcus followed her gaze and raised an eyebrow, but when he spotted the insignia embroidered on Alaric's chest, a knowing smirk tugged at his lips.
"Well, well, if it isn't Lord Glimor," he said, straightening to his full height.
Alaric paused and turned toward him, offering an exaggerated bow.
"The pleasure is all mine, Lord Vale."
Marcus's grin widened, clearly preparing some cutting remark, but Alaric had already shifted his attention elsewhere.
"Wow," Alaric drawled, his crimson eyes locking onto Livia's with lazy confidence, "and here I thought how the moon was out early, but it seems it's just you stealing the light."
The compliment was delivered with just enough sincerity to make Livia's cheeks flush pink.
A faint flush crept along her cheeks, and she looked away almost instantly, fingers brushing the edge of her gown as though she suddenly didn't know where to place them.
