"If you're fine, then what is the meaning of this position, oh my dear prickly maid, Lira?" Mikhailis said, his tone dripping with exaggerated politeness, as if the absurdity of their situation had only just occurred to him.
Lira looked down at him, her face calm, a faint smile playing on her lips. Her hands moved to rest lightly on the back of his neck, her fingertips brushing against his skin.
"I saw you getting tired," she said, her voice soft.
"Afraid you might get bummed and bored by the banquet or something. You looked like you needed rescuing."
Mikhailis smirked, leaning back slightly to get a better look at her face.
"Oh, so out of concern, you decided to just flirt with me, hmm?" His eyes glinted with mischief, a teasing smile pulling at his lips.
Lira's eyes narrowed slightly as she leaned closer, her face inching toward his.
"Of course not, Your Highness," she whispered, her tone dripping with mock sincerity.
