Madame Shades' smile cracked at last. The laughter in the hall grew louder with every second, echoing through the decorated chamber, until her proud face darkened like a storm cloud. Her hands gripped the armrest of her chair, the rings on her fingers clinking sharply against the carved wood.
Her eyes darted straight toward the seats where Karl and Milo were sitting, Karl with his smug grin and Milo trying and failing to hide his giggles behind his hands. The sight made her blood boil.
"This is nonsense!" Madame Shades snapped, rising from her seat, her voice sharp enough to slice through the laughter. "It's a sacred ceremony, not a circus!"
The crowd immediately quieted, turning toward her. Louis was still fumbling with the ring, his chubby fingers turning red from all the pushing. "M-Mother, it's not fitting!" he wailed helplessly, which only made the situation worse.
