"You're avoiding me, aren't you?" Aether asked, his expression filled with judgment.
Empress studied Aether's face for a moment, noting the annoyance etched there. She inwardly found his sudden accusation amusing and decided to play along, saying, "What gives you that impression?"
"Tsk, did you think I wouldn't notice your beautiful eyes avoiding looking at mine?" Aether voiced his dissatisfaction.
"Cough, Cough," Empress sputtered as her tea took an unexpected route down the wrong pipe.
Never in her life had she imagined hearing a complaint intertwined with a compliment.
Just as she reached for a handkerchief,
Aether's concern interrupted herm "Are you okay?" He stood before her, patting her head and using his sleeve cuff to wipe away the spiled tea from her lips.
Empress momentarily froze, not because of Aether's touch, though that played a part, but most importantly because she hadn't sensed his approach until he touched her head.
