The doors opened with a low creak, and a pair of men stepped into the hall. Conversation dropped in silence. A few heads turned, then more. Silence followed like a ripple in water.
One had blonde hair, carefully combed, his bangs falling neatly over his forehead. A white suit with golden embroidery wrapped his thin figure, the collar barely hiding his long neck.
Beside him stood a man holding his arm. He wore a dark green suit embroidered with curving patterns, his dark blue hair slicked back on top of his head.
The crowd's gazes shifted the moment they noticed the pair.
"Isn't that—"
"The Emperor's consort—Leon Aster?"
"What is he doing here?"
"With the Archduke, Yohan Sylvaris, no less?"
A lady hummed, her eyebrows raised.
"He used to be a painter, if I recall. He only took the title two centuries ago, didn't he?"
"Dad?" Zayden whispered, eyes wide.
