The words struck Viana like a shockwave. An invitation to Valendale?
The sheer, unbelievable nerve of him. Her mind spun, the polite calm she had worked so hard to keep, shattered. She felt exposed and vulnerable.
In that terrible second, her mind went utterly blank. The Emperor, the Empress, Rayne's parents. They know nothing, absolutely nothing, she had completely forgotten about them.
Rayne though, didn't stop. He tightened his grip on Viana's hand, pulling her back to reality. He felt her trembling body, and the quick change in her eyes, the moment she almost broke.
He stepped forward slightly, hiding her just a little, behind his strong frame. His smile stayed, it looked even warmer now.
"Lord Lazarus," Rayne replied, his voice clear and carrying authority. "It would be an honor. We welcome all who want to congratulate us in our engagement ceremony in Valendale."
