Reaching the base of the grand stairs, Zephyrion gave Ingrid a curt nod.
"Hey."
"Hey."
She returned it, then faced forward. A moment of silence passed.
"He summoned you?" Ingrid asked.
"Yes." Zephyrion answered. "You too?"
"Yeah…"
After that, they both faced forward, the hall silent. But as the seconds passed, Zephyrion found himself throwing glances at Ingrid.
After their previous talk, he'd found a weird feeling in his chest threatening to burst out. It was only after thorough analysis that he discovered it was gratitude. For the help she'd offered. Standing before Ingrid now, he felt the sudden urge to thank her.
But he inwardly shook his head.
There was a familiar aura around her. A cold, detached air that practically screamed she didn't want to talk. Besides, he'd seen the way she reacted during the party, and in her office.
'She doesn't like being thanked.'
He'd done it once already. That was enough.
