With everyone's gaze on him, Ryn realized what he'd just done in front of the whole Gremory council.
Noticing this, the Crown Princess decided to save him some face.
"…In any case," Taylor Gremory continued smoothly, already reclaiming the flow of the meeting,
"If there are no further questions regarding Raias's declared candidate, we will proceed."
Conversation resumed in layers, some nobles leaning in to speak urgently with aides, others scribbling notes or recalculating alliances in their heads.
He felt Amelia's presence beside him shift. To anyone watching, it looked like nothing more than an heir adjusting her stance.
But her voice brushed his ear.
"Where's…Fritz?"
Ryn didn't answer right away.
His eyes stayed on the center of the chamber, where Taylor was already fielding the next political concern without missing a beat.
"I'm…not sure," he said quietly. "Something must've happened."
Amelia's fingers tightened just slightly at her side.
