Ryley almost let his lips fall open when he saw Soren stride in, composed as ever.
The man offered a respectful bow to both him and Starla before speaking in his steady, unhurried tone. "I've come to fetch Madam Beckett's gift."
"Well, I'm sure you also have a few words from her you'd like to tell Ryley," Starla replied, a knowing smile flickering across her face. With that, she slipped out of the tent, leaving the two of them alone.
An awkward silence immediately settled in. Ryley fidgeted where he stood, the tension radiating off him so strongly that Soren's gaze flicked toward the mirror, then back to him.
Picking up on the discomfort, Soren lifted the coronet's chest, closed the lid with deliberate care, and held it calmly at his side.
"S-so… you're going to put that crown on me later?" Ryley asked, clearing his throat softly, eyes darting anywhere but at the man in front of him.
"Yes." Soren's reply was flat, unembellished, but not unkind.
