Lucian helped Aeliana to a quiet, secluded corner of the estate as they managed to escape the prying eyes of the masquerade guests. The mood had shifted, and Aeliana, still reeling from the earlier incident, was now trying to calm herself with a small plate of food.
"You seem hungry," Lucian observed softly, a hint of concern in his voice as he sat down across from her. He reached for a bite of the food she had been picking at, his usual calm demeanor returning as he tried to offer a semblance of normalcy. "Care for an early dinner? It might be best to eat now before the crowd gets too restless."