Vyan and Iyana froze, caught in Daphne's piercing gaze like two kids caught sneaking out past curfew. They exchanged a quick, guilty glance before Iyana cleared her throat, clearly scrambling for an excuse.
"Uh…" she stalled, looking about as clueless as a swordsperson in an archery competition.
Vyan stepped in smoothly, barely missing a beat. "I didn't want to bother you about this, but the thing is… Ash's stuff got stolen," he said, his tone so convincingly grave that Iyana shot him a side-eye, silently marveling at his ease with fibbing. "Yes, it turns out one of our butlers went rogue and took off with Ash's childhood stuff: clothes, shoes, and, you know, all those gifts you gave him. Even his engagement ring," he finished.
Daphne's face fell, placing a hand over her aching chest. "Oh… That's really unfortunate. I didn't even know he wasn't wearing his ring when he, you know…"
