Vance and Sevette stopped at the same time.
It was subtle, but everyone felt it. The faint shift in the air, the way Sevette's fingers loosened slightly around Vance's hand, the way Vance's steps halted as if the ground itself had asked him to wait. Both of them turned their heads, eyes settling on Cain.
Sevette tilted her head, curiosity blooming openly on her face. "What do you mean by that?" she asked, her tone light but attentive.
Vance did not speak at first. His gaze sharpened, assessing Cain from head to toe, as though trying to decide whether this was arrogance or ignorance.
Cain took a breath. He knew he was walking on a knife's edge, but there was no turning back now.
"I mean exactly what I said," Cain replied, his voice steady, louder than before so that everyone could hear. "By Moonshade family law, entry into the inner grounds requires lawful bonding or recognized marital status when it comes to escorts. You and Lady Sevette are not married."
