SERAPHINA POV
I looked at Magnus for a few seconds before finally nodding. Refusing my father-in-law's invitation in front of so many nobles would only create an awkward scene. Magnus wasn't someone I could dismiss as easily as Vaeldric.
"Of course."
We walked away from the crowded ballroom. Neither of us spoke.
The music still drifted faintly through the grand doors, but the farther we walked, the quieter everything became. Magnus stopped at a balcony overlooking the palace gardens.
"Congratulations. Tonight, you've managed to make all of Valerion talk about you."
"So amusing. I don't remember asking for that."
A faint smile crossed his face. The awkwardness settled between us almost immediately.
The truth was, we had never hated each other. He had been the first person to welcome
