Queen Sakura was starting to really panic:
She waved her hands subtly at first, then more urgently, trying desperately to alert my mother that Benjamin and I were standing right there, pitifully witnessing everything from the side of the grand hall.
Her usual composure had cracked, replaced by wide-eyed alarm as she glanced back and forth between us and the cuddling pair.
Maybe, through some subtle and quiet telepathic suggestion sent by Sakura across the grand hall, it appeared she had successfully managed to draw Mother's full attention over toward the spot where Benjamin and I stood waiting at the entrance.
The moment hung there in the air for what felt like an extended beat, heavy with sudden shared awareness as Mother's silver gaze finally lifted and settled directly on us.
"Oh, good morning, my dear husband!!" Violette called out in her usual warm and enthusiastic voice, waving one of her arms with open delight in Benjamin's direction.
