Caelestis moved first, cutting cleanly through the crowd toward the center with Eleanore close behind him, the murmur of confused whispers trailing in their wake as the two of them stepped directly into the space beside the newly announced couple.
"Duke Sinclair," Alastor said, a surprise flickering across his face. "This is an unusual moment to—"
"Forgive the interruption, Your Highness," Caelestis said, voice carrying clearly across the now-silent room, "but there's something you need to know before this engagement goes any further."
A ripple of unease moved through the crowd. Lauriel's composed expression faltered, genuine confusion crossing her face as her eyes darted between Caelestis and her own father, who had gone very still near the edge of the room.
