Alyssane's lips tightened into a thin smile, but her heart thudded beneath her ribs. She said nothing, her mind still caught between Kazmun's distant gaze and the unspoken turmoil twisting inside her.
'Am I hiding my feelings?'
'Or is there simply a lack of any true emotion…'
The emptiness always lingering at the back of her mind now gnawed at her senses. Alyssane managed a smile, not bothering to hide the hollowness of her emotions as she met the Archduchess' gaze, "You sound very caring, Your Grace."
A confused frown appeared on Elaena's lips and before she could decide how to respond, Alyssane averted her gaze.
"But don't worry, everything is fine."
Elaena led her towards the feast with an unreadable smile, "As you say, child. I am too hungry now to bother with more talks. You won't mind if we go straight to the meal, would you?"
She lightly placed a hand on her plump belly.
