~59
Elara's POV
I felt David shift beside me. He had been pretending to enjoy the game, nodding now and then as if he understood their chaotic movements. But the slight tension in his shoulders told me something else was on his mind, and when he leaned in a little, I already knew the moment of peace was about to crack.
"Your Majesty," he whispered, almost too quietly.
I turned my head slightly. "Yes?"
"There is a report from the headquarters."
I frowned because whenever he used that tone, calm, respectful, and slightly anxious, it usually meant something unpleasant waited beneath it.
"Right now?" I asked.
He nodded. "It is urgent."
I looked back toward Elara. She was clapping for Janae, who had just tripped on her own foot. Janae raised both hands in the air like someone who had just won a trophy, and the two of them laughed so loudly that one of the attendants peeped in to make sure nothing had fallen.
