Alaric just stared down at his sketch in Elina's hands, then his crimson eyes darted to pale Livia, who looked like she had seen a ghost.
While Elina just blinked, then the mischievous spark in her eyes faltering for once as she stared at the sketch.
Before she could even find words...
"Give it back."
Livia snatched the book back with surprising speed, hugging it close to her chest. Her voice trembled, though she tried to sound stern. Her eyes found Alaric's, her face turned red and she quickly turned away.
"You should never look into others' things without permission," she scolded, meeting Elina's eyes.
She tried to act all cool and normal, but the pink color on her cheeks betrayed her, spreading down to the tips of her ears.
Elina leaned back slowly, lips parting as if to say something, but no words came.
She glanced from her flustered friend… to the man sitting at her side, eyes still half-lidded, expression unreadable.
