"Hey, if it isn't the famous Lady Lyra," the man said, his voice dripping with false congeniality. "Strange to see you out without standing beside that prince. And it seems you've got some interesting friends with you."
His gaze lingered on Gladius for a moment, a flicker of curiosity and perhaps a touch of disdain passing through his eyes.
Arianna and Lyra halted their conversation, their gazes snapping to the approaching figure. Arianna's lips curled slightly in annoyance, her instincts immediately on edge.
Lyra, on the other hand, didn't bother to hide her disdain. A sneer formed on her face as she regarded the newcomer, her violet eyes flashing with barely contained contempt. "Oh? Would you look at this? The Shadow Noble still thinks he can stand on equal footing with true Royal Prodigies."
