The grandeur of the imperial court was diminished as a dense silence took hold. Nobles and courtiers stood frozen, their eyes wide, and whispers dying on their lips. They were all expecting the grand duke's aunt, of all people, to speak in his support. But… Celeste's confession was like a crack of thunder in a clear sky, jolting everyone to the bone.
"I wasn't with His Grace last night," Celeste stated simply, her hands folded in front of her, gaze cast down. "It's true that I did want to meet up with him to talk, but unfortunately, that didn't become possible."
Is she fucking kidding me—
Vyan clenched his jaw, his fingers curling into fists so tight that his nails dug into his palms. He held himself rigidly, every muscle in his body coiled, his face a mask of perfect apathy.
Inside, though, he was seething. It felt like his chest would explode, fury blazing hotter than the fire he controlled.
