Inside, Rin moved quickly, slipping into a side room to change. His fingers trembled slightly as he stripped off the shimmering gown, its fabric pooling at his feet like spilt moonlight. He tied his silver hair high, wincing as it caught on his fingers.
'It's getting too long. Maybe I should cut it,' he thought, his mind racing.
The door creaked, and Lirien entered, her pipe between her lips, her sharp eyes scanning him. Smoke curled around her like a protective veil, but her expression was tense.
"They're both gone. The guest. And that man. Whoever they were, they've left."
Rin exhaled slowly, his shoulders relaxing just a fraction. "That was the crown prince,"
"What? How did he... I mean, why would he come here?"
"And the other man was Lucien Vortellion. That bastard was here. That means... I have to speed things up."
Lirien frowned, stepping closer, her voice low.
"I should have increased the security so they wouldn't get in. It's my fault,"
