As Aurelia scurried off to fulfill Sabine's request, her eyes locked onto Ryker, her gaze burning with intensity. "So, Your Highness," she purred, her voice dripping with seduction, "tell me, what makes this human so special?" Her eyes gleamed with curiosity, her full lips curling into a sly smile.
Ryker's eyes never left the dressing room, his face filled with anticipation. "What is it about her that has captured your attention?" Sabine frowned, sucking her teeth. Ryker's smile was languid, his cunning eyes meeting Sabine's gaze. "She's a rare gem."
Sabine's eyes narrowed. "So, Your Highness, you have a new distraction. How amusing." Ryker laughed, his laughter echoing, causing Sabine to wonder what was so funny. "She's intriguing," he said, his voice low and husky.
Sabine's eyes flashed with jealousy. "How...quaint. And I'm sure her...humanity has nothing to do with your fascination." Her voice dripped with venom. "She's so innocent, so...naive. It's almost laughable."
Ryker's smile grew wider. "So quick to judge." He raised his legs and turned to admire the dresses hanging on the wall. Sabine laughed, her eyes glinting with malice. "Do tell, Your Highness, what secrets does she hold that I don't?"
As she spoke, Eliana stepped out of the dressing room, her eyes fixed on the scene before her. She could feel the tension radiating from Sabine, her anger and jealousy palpable. But what caught her attention was the timid-looking girl with a faint scar above her left eyebrow, who entered the room with a golden cup. The girl's eyes were cast down, her hands trembling as she approached Sabine with a submissive demeanor.
The cup slipped from her grasp, and the blood poured all over Sabine's face and expensive dress. Sabine's face contorted in rage. "You clumsy fool!" she hissed, her hand flashing out to strike Aurelia. The slap echoed through the room, leaving a red mark on Aurelia's cheek.
Aurelia stumbled backward, her eyes welling up with tears. "How dare you! This could buy a hundred of you, and there would be change!" Sabine spat, her contempt evident. But her tirade was interrupted by Eliana's gaze, and for a moment, the two women locked in a silent standoff.
Eliana's voice was icy. "Enough, leave her be." Sabine's eyes flashed with anger, her hand raised as if to strike Eliana. But Ryker's voice stopped her. "Don't you dare." Sabine turned and fled the room in embarrassment, her tail between her legs.