Edmund had a snide smile on his lips, staring with an unbroken gaze. To Nelly it was like his eyes pierced deep in to her soul, unraveling secrets and laying bare her weak self. That she was but a powerless little girl, masquerading as a vampire princess.
By the most meager margins Nelly dared to turn her head and look if mother had noticed the interloper. The Empress was looking at Lina, still in the middle of kneeling in front of Cathrin, seated in her royal wheelchair. Noticing Nelly looking, mother gave a little nod towards her, the sides of her eyes betraying the smile.
Mother hadn't noticed anything, and maybe there wasn't anything to worry about yet, but fear still gripped right at Nelly's very core. She turned back to look at Edmund, who was still sitting there, his gaze still painted directly on her. It was not time to yell out, to ruin Lina's festivities, but she decided to do something at least.
