The door creaked open just a sliver, revealing Jaslin peeking out like a cat assessing the safety of a new territory. She turned her head back and forth, her eyes darting around the hallway as if expecting a royal guard to leap out from behind a potted plant.
"I think it's clear…" she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.
"Jazl…" came a soft voice from behind her. Daphne stood there, tugging at the hem of Jaslin's dress like a child trying to get their parent's attention.
Jaslin turned, her expression shifting from stealthy spy to confused sibling. "What?"
"I feel like I'm forgetting something," Daphne said, her brow furrowing in thought.
Jaslin raised an eyebrow, her expression shifting to one of skepticism. "Is it perhaps an escort, my dear sister?"
Daphne's eyes widened, and she nodded vigorously, "Ah, right. That."
Jaslin facepalmed, exasperation radiating from her like heat from a summer sun. "I thought you didn't want any."
"What? When did I say that?"
"Then why the heck did you tell Mom not to wait?"
"Because we'll be late?" Daphne replied, her tone suggesting that this was the most obvious thing in the world.
"What does that have to do with it?" Jaslin countered, crossing her arms. "Of course, they have to wait even if we're late. How else would they escort you?"
Daphne paused, her frown deepening as she considered this. "Jazl, I can't let Father escort me, you know that."
Jaslin looked unfazed, rolling her eyes dramatically. "Well, you could let Mom escort you."
"Do you seriously think Father would calmly let Aunt Hale escort me?" Daphne asked, her voice dripping with disbelief.
Jaslin's expression shifted as she realized the absurdity of that suggestion. "...Okay, fine. Now, what?"
"Why don't you escort me?" Daphne suggested hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"What?! No way. I can't let Blaize see my male form!" Jaslin exclaimed, her voice rising in pitch, panic creeping into her tone.
"She'll just think you have a handsome brother," Daphne said, her tone serious, trying her best to convince her sister despite the inherent risk of the suggestion.
Jaslin blinked, her expression shifting to that of an innocent puppy. "She'll… think I'm handsome?"
Daphne stared at her sister, speechless, her exasperation reaching new heights.
"Have you looked in a mirror, you idiot?"
Thud.
Abruptly, both of them heard a sound. Jaslin slowly turned her head to see where it came from.
Peeking around the edge of the door, she spotted Rowan leaning against the wall, one hand pressed to his chest as if he were trying to catch his breath. His face was flushed a deep crimson, and he looked as though he had just sprinted a marathon.
"Rowan?" Jaslin called, her voice laced with confusion.
Daphne, unable to resist the urge to peek as well, leaned forward like a puppy trying to see over a fence. From Rowan's perspective, all he could see was her head bobbing just above the doorframe. "Rowan? What's wrong?" she asked, her tone a mix of concern and curiosity.
Rowan's eyes widened as he noticed them. "Oh... Your Highnesses," he stammered, attempting to regain his composure, though the effort was clearly in vain.
Jaslin squinted, her brow furrowing. "Wait... Is that Father's suit?"
Daphne's eyes lit up with realization. "Oh, you're right."
Rowan coughed aggressively, as if the words had hit him like a direct blow.
"Are you alright?" Jaslin asked, her concern deepening.
"It's nothing," he insisted, waving a hand dismissively, though the redness in his cheeks suggested otherwise.
Daphne chimed in, "Your face is so red, Rowan. Are you having a fever?"
"I'm fine, it's nothing," he replied, wishing he could find a rock to hide under. "His Majesty was waiting, so I came—"
"Huh? They're still waiting?" Jaslin interrupted, her eyes widening in surprise.
Rowan tilted his head, confusion etched on his features.
"I already told Aunt Hale not to wait," Daphne replied, her brow furrowing as she tried to piece together the situation.
"You did?" Rowan's confusion deepened. "Then…" He glanced back down the corridor, concern flickering in his eyes. "They must've entered the ball..." He turned to go, appearing genuinely worried. "I shall take my leave then, Your Highnesses."
"Wait, Rowan. This is good."
Daphne turned to her sister, her brow furrowing. "What?"
Jaslin's eyes sparkled with mischief. "He can escort you."
Daphne blinked, her frown deepening before she nodded slowly. "Right... He can."
Both sisters turned to Rowan, their expressions shifting to saccharine smiles that could melt the iciest of hearts.
Rowan, caught off guard, felt a lump form in his throat. He gulped, the sound echoing in the silence, as the sight of their smiles reminded him all too much of Alastor's when he was plotting something particularly chaotic.
"Uh, wait—"