The relief that washed over me when I saw their expressions was immediately replaced by confusion. Cecilia's crimson eyes held the determined gleam I recognized from her most ambitious political maneuvering, while Rose's brown eyes reflected the strategic focus she employed when managing particularly complex guild operations.
"Arthur," Rose began, her voice carrying the same tone she used when explaining why a particular business decision was absolutely crucial, "we have a serious problem."
"How serious?" I asked, still trying to reconcile their dramatic entrance with the apparent lack of any actual crisis. "Scale of one to ten, where ten is 'the empire is under attack' and one is 'Stella drew on the walls again.'"
"About an eight," Cecilia replied without hesitation, causing my alarm to spike once more before she continued. "You cannot attend the Grand Ball looking like you just walked out of a guild meeting."
