While the eastern wing of the imperial palace was drowning in a silent, suffocating panic, the royal quarters on the whole another side of the grounds were a picture of absolute serenity.
Philia stood in front of a tall, silver-framed mirror, casually unbuttoning the stiff, gold-embroidered collar of his formal doublet. He looked entirely relaxed, stripped of the tense, performing anxiety and the sweet, gentle facade that usually defined his posture in front of the Auzelian court.
Behind him, Valen was quietly watching.
Philia let out a soft, amused sigh, tossing his outer coat onto a nearby armchair. "What a truly spectacular mess," he murmured as he brushed a stray lock of hair from his forehead. "I really wanted to visit the Solaric princess's chambers. As their assigned imperial escort, how could I possibly ignore my duty to stand by their side?"
