Gabriel did not wait for more. He rose gracefully, nodding to those present before turning away. He felt the weight of Damian's gaze on his back, the quiet force of it pressing against his shoulders as he walked toward the familiar figure near the edge of the ballroom.
Theodore von Jaunez stood with his usual quiet authority, looking around the room with the eyes of someone who had seen far more than he spoke about. Unlike the nobles eager to impress with the court's latest spectacle, Theo remained a steadfast presence in Gabriel's world. Nobles attempted to get his attention, but as always, he responded politely but coldly.
As Gabriel approached, his older brother turned to him, his expression unreadable at first, until a flicker of something softer passed through his green eyes.
"You held your ground," Theo remarked, voice low enough that only Gabriel could hear.