"Wait, hold on!" Damian turned and matched Matthias's brisk pace. "Did you not just meet with her in the audience chamber?"
"What of it?" Matthias countered flatly, his gaze fixed ahead.
Damian spontaneously let out a short laugh. At the sound, Matthias stopped abruptly and turned with a stiff expression.
"What is so funny?" Matthias asked, his voice rising slightly.
"You. You are funny," Damian replied casually, the remains of the laugh still on his face.
Unconsciously, Matthias began to check his appearance. He rubbed his face, which felt strangely warm, and smoothed out the folds of his clothing, which were already perfectly neat. He looked like a young man preparing for a first date, not a king about to meet a captive.
Damian shook his head, growing more amused by his friend's agitation.
"Do you wish to be punished for mocking your own King?" Matthias growled, his pride stung by being caught acting so out of character.
