"Astrid."
At the sound of Princess Camellia's voice, Astrid turned at once.
Camellia was looking at her with a gentle smile, as if nothing unpleasant had happened only moments ago. For a brief second, Astrid glanced after her brother, but Julian could do nothing now. Not when the royal princess herself had called for her.
He had no choice but to keep walking.
So he followed Crown Prince Albert in silence, though the prince's face still burned a deep, furious red from the humiliation of having his hand struck away so casually before the court. Even from behind, the stiffness in Albert's shoulders made his shame obvious.
Astrid let out a quiet breath of relief once they were gone.
Then she turned back to Camellia and composed herself quickly, smoothing down the front of her gown before lowering into a proper curtsy.
"Your Highness, you look exquisite tonight," Astrid said. "That gown suits you perfectly."
And it did.
