Seeing Charles approach, Kaija's gaze shifted from the crowd to him. His face was cold and unreadable as ever, silver eyes fixed somewhere on the floor without sparing her a glance.
A quiet sigh slipped out of her. Now that she'd learned the stipend that came with her contract was actually a special treatment only she received, her mind was filled with questions for him. Perhaps she should wait until he cooled down a bit before asking about it.
Her focus shifted back to the audience as she put on that faint, graceful smile again, like her chest wasn't aching with guilt and gratitude both.
At the gold mic stand in the middle of the stage, Charles delivered one last speech, first thanking everyone attending the festival this year, then the judges, then the competitors.
