From his very comfy spot by the refreshment table, Cherion slowly swirled the sweet sparkling juice in his crystal glass, absolutely living his best life. In his other hand? A half-eaten pastry he was very seriously committed to. He leaned back against a stone pillar like the chaos happening around him was someone else's problem, perfectly relaxed as the tense storm of the imperial ballroom swirled on.
This was the very first time they had stood face-to-face with Yerel and Philia since the duo left the North.
And right on cue, the nobles started backing away like someone had dropped a venomous snake in the middle of the ballroom, forming a wide, cautious circle around them. Cherion hid his smirk behind his glass as frantic whispers spread through the rustle of silk fans.
"Oh my goodness, look over there... it's the Crown Prince and the Duke."
"It's a reunion of the ex-fiancés!"
"Oh... Lord Philia is right there, too. This is practically a battleground."
