Evangeline fell silent for a long, agonizing moment. The atmosphere in the dim room hung heavy with unuttered threats. She straightened her posture, lifting her chin to blanket her raw shock behind a wall of unreachable royal dignity.
"Ah... for a moment, I completely forgot that the two of you are betrothed," Evangeline stated, her voice returning to its smooth, velvet composure, though her crimson eyes remained as sharp as double-edged daggers. "However... isn't it remarkably impolite to receive a highborn lady in such a half-naked state?"
Silver's lips curved into a slow, tantalizing smirk. "Hmm... I was simply so eager to see her that I rushed to open the door, My Queen. My sincere apologies, Your Majesty."
Evangeline stared at him silently for another heartbeat, her chest rising and falling in a deep, subtle sigh.
