A rush of heat prickled on the back of her neck.
Alyssane quickly looked away, biting her lips to ground her mind back to the present.
Kazmun also averted his gaze as if she was of no interest to him, but when she sneaked a glance, Alyssane caught a shadow of the barest smile curling upon his lips.
Her heart was beating strangely.
The queen curled her fingers tight, barely holding back her anger. But she could not allow herself to be swayed by fleeting emotions.
She glanced at the Imperial Herald, giving him a curt nod.
With a solemn expression, the man bowed and then stepped out in front of the dias. He tapped his staff twice to indicate that the banquet would soon officially start.
One by one, all the guests and nobles took their seats. The air was still tense, but now, everyone was trying to light it up through strained smiles and hollow consoling words.
