Emerald didn't stop to think.
She didn't even close the door behind her as she stormed out of the fitting room. Her heart raced in her chest as she hurried through the marble halls.
She caught up to Adrien and Seraphina just as they entered the foyer, flanked by two council elders and a few guards preparing to escort them to the ceremonial hall.
"Adrien!" she shouted.
He paused mid-step, his head turning slightly.
Emerald reached them, panting and furious. "Wait. Just… wait, and listen to me."
Seraphina turned with a cool, practised smile. "Emerald, please, don't cause a scene."
Emerald ignored her. Her eyes were on Adrien. "Whatever's going on, whatever's been done to you, we can fix it. We can work through it, Adrien… together."
He didn't respond right away, and for a brief second, something flickered across his face.
