"E-Elder Brother?!"
Aurelia shot up from her seat like someone had set off a firecracker under her chair. Vance was right there with her, his face turning into a stone mask.
Then the whispers started.
"The Crown Prince...", "Is that really him?", "Yeah, no doubt about it!"
One by one, everyone in the hall caught on and scrambled to their feet. Cassandra and I exchanged a quick look before standing up too. When in Rome, and all that.
The prince gave a little wave. "Ah, please, don't stand on my account. Sit, sit, be comfortable."
His voice was friendly, but it had that royal ring to it that made people listen. Everyone slowly sat back down, but you could feel all the eyes still glued to our table.
He made his way over to us. As he got close, I reached out and pulled the empty chair next to me. "Your Highness."
