Ares leaned against a pillar, wine glass in hand. His eyes coldly scanned the two people in animated conversation, then settled on Caelir's displeased profile.
He smirked and said sarcastically to Caelir, "Elena certainly has her appeal. Even Duke Lucien, who's been stationed at the front for years, rushes back to the capital and immediately seeks her out."
Caelir turned his head and glared at Ares coldly without responding, but his jaw tightened.
Meanwhile, Talieran had been tactfully led away from the dessert table by Hans's gentle reminders. He was now lounging boredly by the terrace edge, his gaze locked on the ballroom entrance.
The moment he saw Elena appear, he straightened immediately. But then he noticed the unfamiliar male beside her with mature bearing.
His ches
