"I heard your tea time was successful."
Florian looked up at the familiar voice, his eyes settling on Heinz, who was now seated at the edge of the bed.
The room was dimly lit, soft candlelight dancing along the gilded walls. It had been hours since the tea with Scarlett and Athena ended—long enough for Florian to have bathed and slipped into his nightclothes.
Azure lay curled on his lap, already asleep, his small breaths steady and warm.
"It was, Your Majesty," Florian replied softly. "I've already asked them to host the ball and help prepare for it. I'll be meeting with them daily to go over the details."
He gently scooped Azure into his arms, shifting carefully as he tucked himself beneath the thick duvet. The warmth of the bedding was a comfort, but it couldn't chase away the strange, lingering awareness of the man nearby.
'I wonder how long he plans to keep me sleeping in his room…' Florian mused silently, his gaze drifting toward Heinz's back.
