The shared meal at the Valentine estate was a warm, boisterous affair. Eric, Selena's father, took the opportunity to introduce the inner circle of the family, his eyes gleaming with a mix of pride and curiosity as he observed the young man sitting across from them.
Alex met every introduction with a polite, effortless smile, his charm working through the room like a silent tide. He was perfectly composed, the image of a rising star who knew exactly how to navigate the complexities of high-society lineages.
As the plates were cleared and the conversation began to wind down into comfortable murmurs, Alex stood up. He offered a respectful nod to the room, bidding farewell to the Valentine family.
"Anna, I'm heading over to meet Grandmaster," Alex said as they reached the courtyard, the cool evening air ruffling his hair. "Do you want to come along, or are you heading back?"
Anna didn't hesitate for a heartbeat. "I'll go".
