For a moment, I just stared at him.
The words took a second to register, and when they did, my brain stalled.
"...What?"
He grinned. "You heard me."
I blinked, processing, and then a rush of heat flooded my face. "You want me to go with you?"
"Naturally," he said easily. "You are the most interesting person here."
I narrowed my eyes. "Is this just another way to annoy Mary?"
"Partially," he admitted with a lazy shrug. "But mostly? I'm just curious."
"Curious?" I repeated.
"You intrigue me, Lady Elara," he said smoothly. "And unlike most people, I like indulging my curiosity."
I let out a slow breath, staring at him.
Of all the things I had expected from today… this had not been one of them.
Before I could even formulate a response, a new voice cut through the air, firm and resolute.
"That won't be necessary."
Both Gail and I turned just as Prince Valkas stepped forward, his crimson gaze locked onto Gail with unwavering confidence. His royal tunic was immaculate as always, a stark contrast to Gail's slightly disheveled, effortlessly handsome look.
"Elara is meant to go with me to the Founder's Banquet," Valkas declared, his tone brooking no argument.
Gail blinked, then exhaled sharply through his nose, tilting his head as if he had just heard something deeply amusing.
"Ah," he drawled, crossing his arms. "So it's already decided, is it?"
Valkas stood tall, unyielding. "Of course. I asked her first."
Gail let out a low chuckle. "Oh, so that's how it works now? First-come, first-serve?" His smirk turned sharp. "Didn't realize escorts were something to be claimed like market goods."
Valkas frowned, not rising to the bait. "That's not what I meant."
"Isn't it?" Gail mused, tapping his chin. "Because it sure sounds like you're trying to stake your claim."
"It's about respect," Valkas retorted, his jaw tightening. "I extended an invitation as a proper noble should. I assumed Elara had enough courtesy to consider it first before entertaining another offer."
I really should have expected this.
"Gail," I cut in before he could shoot back another smug retort, "Prince Valkas—both of you—enough."
They both turned to me, and I took a calming breath.
"Look," I said, folding my arms, "I appreciate both of your invitations, but I'm not deciding right now. It's still months away, and I have more important things to think about before this becomes a priority."
Gail raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his dark eyes.
Valkas, to his credit, looked only slightly less rigid.
"So," I continued, straightening, "I'll choose closer to the date. Until then, no more bickering over me, alright?"
Silence stretched between the three of us.
Then, Gail grinned. "Fair enough, little lady. But just so you know," he added, shooting Valkas a sidelong glance, "I do look great in formal wear."
Valkas scowled.
I exhaled, rubbing my temples.
Before either of them could say another word, I turned on my heel and walked away, leaving them behind.
This was definitely more complicated than I had signed up for.
__________________________________________________________________________________
"Why are you acting like you care all of a sudden?" Valkas demanded, his gaze snapping from Elara's retreating figure to Gail. His voice was laced with accusation, his crimson eyes burning with barely restrained hostility.
Gail, ever the picture of amused detachment, merely raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Is it a crime now to show a little interest?" His lips curled into a smirk, but his eyes remained sharp, assessing.
Valkas scoffed, his expression twisting with disdain. "Disgusting."
"And why's that, Your Highness?" Gail mused, feigning curiosity. "Because I stepped in when Mary was cornering her? Because I didn't stand by and watch?"
Valkas's jaw clenched. "Elara can hold her ground. She doesn't need anyone swooping in like a gallant knight."
Gail chuckled, slow and deliberate. "Oh, I see. You were enjoying the show, weren't you?"
Valkas bristled. "I wasn't enjoying anything," he shot back. "I just—"
"Just what?" Gail's voice turned quiet, edged with something dangerously close to amusement. "Trusted her strength? Thought it'd be interesting to see how far she'd let herself get pushed? Face it, Valkas. You were watching her struggle, waiting to see how much she could take before she cracked."
Valkas's fingers curled into fists at his sides. "She's a Veylin," he bit out. "She's not some helpless girl—"
"That doesn't mean she doesn't need help," Gail cut in, his smirk vanishing. His voice, for once, was utterly serious. "You really don't get it, do you?"
Valkas glared at him. "So what? Just because she's a woman, you think she needs to be guided?"
"Don't put words in my mouth," Gail countered coolly. "I'm saying people will go after her, because she's a woman. They'll test her, the way Mary did. The way others will. Not because they see her as weak, but because they want to make her weak. To put her in her place. First, it was Mary. Next, it'll be the men of high society."
Valkas's scowl deepened, but he hesitated.
"She's a Veylin," he repeated, as if that alone was enough of a shield.
Gail's laugh was short and humorless. "And what? That means she's untouchable?" He stepped closer, lowering his voice to something quieter, almost conspiratorial. "You think that title will protect her when the time comes? When people start thinking she's a threat instead of an anomaly?"
Valkas didn't answer.
Gail tilted his head. "What are you so afraid of, anyway? That I'm playing with her?" His smirk returned, razor-sharp. "And if I was, what would you do about it?"
The tension between them tightened like a coiled spring.
Valkas's fist flew.
Gail was faster. He pivoted smoothly, sidestepping the punch with an infuriating ease. "Careful, Your Highness," he drawled. "Even a royal can't go around punching people without consequences."
Valkas's fists clenched at his sides, his breath uneven, but he didn't strike again.
"Stop hiding behind words and fight me fairly if you dare," he said, his voice low. "Or do you think because I trained as a knight, I'll automatically win?"
Gail's grin widened, eyes gleaming. "Now that is an interesting question."
But before either of them could act, the bell rang.
A heartbeat passed. Then another.
Valkas exhaled sharply, stepping back. "You're lucky," he muttered before turning on his heel and striding away.
Gail chuckled under his breath, watching him go. "And as I thought," he murmured to himself. "We really don't mix together, do we?"
Then, with an easy, unbothered grace, he walked in the opposite direction, as if nothing had happened at all.