She maintained a smile for the benefit of the watching nobles, but inwardly, she was furious. Julian was clearly taking advantage of Pierre's death to advertise his supposed intimacy with the Queen. He had been trying to establish himself as her lover for some time, but this performance had gone far beyond ordinary flirtation. The man was practically announcing their relationship to the entire court without giving her the slightest opportunity to object.
Across the hall, the Duke of Anjou's expression had grown even colder. He looked as though he wanted to seize Julian by the collar and throw him out of the palace. Lina could not help wondering whether the Duke was genuinely angered by Julian's behavior or simply irritated that the younger man had dared to flaunt his supposed favor in front of everyone.
