Just as Altair studied the Imperial Tutor, Adrum Faytal, so too did Adrum smoothly study the young master nox with righteous indignation. Something in him seemed to register a passive resistance that left his brow arched. He smiled, but just as fast as his lips rose, they fell at Tasha's swift appearance before the young master.
It was subtle, nearly imperceptible, but Altair had barely felt the slightest quiver against the barrier held by his Soul of the Indomitable before Tasha moved. His palatine smile hung languidly, betrayed by his eyes hard, as tempered steel.
"We weren't expecting your arrival," said the Duchess coolly, the first to return to her seat, followed by the others. "How is his grace?"
"I, dear, say he's in high spirits. When His Majesty heard that Nox De Nier had awakened from his thousand-year slumber, he summoned the imperial guards to leave, but as with all kings. Duty Calls," Adrum explained. "And so he sent me in his stead."
