Trafalgar remained beside Zafira after finally getting rid of the people who kept circling around him like flies around spilled wine. For the first time in a while, the space around him felt breathable.
That peace did not last long.
Aubrelle approached first, elegant as always, and beside her came Xavier au Roquefort. With them walked a woman Trafalgar recognized the instant he saw her.
It was her. The same woman he had caught sight of earlier and then lost among the crowd. His attention sharpened at once, though nothing showed on his face.
Before that thought could go any further, Aubrelle had already reached him. Trafalgar leaned down without hesitation and kissed her briefly. Natural enough now that neither of them needed to think about it. When they separated, he looked toward Xavier.
"How are you, Trafalgar?" Xavier offered his hand with an easy grin. "You came back just in time for the exams."
"You don't need to remind me. I know that very well."
