"After all, we're all going to be family soon. It would be wonderful if we could all work together to support Her Majesty. She deserves the best from all of us, don't you think?"
With a cheerful wave and a graceful bow, he continued down the corridor, humming that same soft tune.
---
The five consorts stood in silence, watching him disappear around the corner.
Finally, Adrian spoke. "Did he just..."
"Outmaneuver us while acting like an innocent puppy?" Lucian finished. "Yes."
Raphael was frowning. "He never said a single hostile thing. Not one insult, not one direct criticism."
"He didn't have to," Damien said quietly. "Every word was calculated. Every innocent question was a blade."
Kieran was staring at the spot where Larus had vanished. "The bastard made us look like fools without ever breaking his smile."
