He lowered his head, although the anger twisting his expression was impossible to miss.
Perfect.
I didn't even need to do anything, yet his own circumstances forced him to swallow his pride.
'This is better than fighting.'
Naturally, being the magnanimous person I was, I decided to help him recover from his embarrassment.
I stepped forward and extended my hand.
"Sir Aeden, no hard feelings, I hope?"
His eyes burned with fury, but with Erazel, her parents, and several influential nobles watching us, refusing my handshake would only make him look worse.
He had no choice.
Slowly, he accepted my hand, forcing a smile that looked almost physically painful.
"Of course."
I leaned slightly closer, lowering my voice so that only he could hear.
"Careful. You're shaking."
His grip tightened immediately, but before he could say anything, I smiled wider.
"Relax. I'm just a guest."
