Alpheo's lips curved faintly into a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes as he nodded at yet another lord who excused himself after a brief exchange with him . Another one, he mused.
This was far removed from the cold detachment they had displayed during his first year, right after Jasmine's coronation. Back then, the nobles had treated the crown like a glass bauble—fragile, decorative, and utterly powerless. Now, their tone had changed.
Alpheo turned away from the departing noble, his practiced smile vanishing the moment the man was out of sight. His expression grew neutral as he leaned slightly toward Laedio, who stood at his side.
"What are we at now?" Alpheo asked quietly
Laedio adjusted his stance, his tone equally subdued. "twelve."
