Interrogating the King
"One of the estate maids."
Silence.
Then -
A hush fell as each woman pivoted, eyes locking on him one by one. The air tightened without warning.
Together. Just like that. No sudden moves. Without fanfare.
A flicker crossed Rias's face, one eyebrow climbing high. Her red mouth twitched upward at the edge.
"Ah."
Cynthia looked again at the painting, a quiet smile playing on her face. Not quite serious, not quite laughing. "A servant girl," she said
Floor polish hushed under Syra's boots as she drew near the canvas. Close up, the paint revealed itself - strokes here, dimples of shade there, fine threads of pigment tracing Leon's gaze. The way light fell made the edges breathe.
"She must have studied you carefully," Syra murmured, tilting her head. "This isn't admiration from a distance. This is… attention."
He folded his arms, a gesture he knew seemed guarded. "They observe closely, those who create."
Hmm. Syra stayed silent, eyes narrow.
