"Happy birthday, Alex."
As the hall was covered in silence, the oppressive atmosphere from a second ago vanishing because of the lighthearted exchange between Alex and Maurice, Cassandra spoke up as well, wishing Alex a happy birthday and making him smile at her.
"Thank you, Your Highness," replied Alex with a formal smile. Alex knew that there was no need for him to show respect to the emperor and the empress; he could even expect them to respect him as he didn't need them—he was talented enough that any organization would kill to have him.
But he didn't do it since he didn't have any grudges against the emperor and the empress.
Cassandra, however, raised an elegant brow at his words, her tone both warm and pointed. "Must I remind you, Alex? If my husband is your uncle, should I not be your aunt as well?"
Cassandra's eyes scanned the delegates from other empires as she spoke those words, noticing the shift in their expressions very well.
