"Father! Thank you so much! I love you!"
"Urgh…" His father made a strangled sound, clearly overwhelmed by his tight hug.
"Oh no, Rocco, please! Go easy on him," Strasbourg pleaded, "or the master might just die of joy!"
...
"Why, exactly, is Rocco attending the gala that was filled with those conniving foxes?"
Sylas was glaring at their father with sharp looks.
Observing the tension, Rocco began trembling, his wide, tearful eyes betraying his sense of guilt.
It didn't take long for him to realize that he was, in fact, the reason behind this confrontation.
This was his first gala, and he had no idea what to expect.
However, the excitement had spurred him to dress up for the occasion.
Rocco looked every bit like a child bursting with anticipation, from his carefully styled pompadour to the cheerful yellow flower clip holding back his bangs.