Politics Beneath the Chandeliers
A hush broke loose in jerky head bobs, grins tipping past natural ease.
"Yes, very much."
"Exquisite preparations tonight."
"We are honored by your presence."
A sudden rush of speech followed, smooth as if memorized long ago. Each phrase slipped free without pause, shaped by repetition. Not a stumble, just flow - like scenes repeated night after night on stage.
A quiet laugh slipped out of William - just a whisper of sound, like someone who'd already lived through this moment.
Off to the side, his eyes landed on a few women near the shimmering lights above. Not far below the glow, fabric hugged their shapes - rich cloth flowing over hips and waists, glowing faintly as shoulders lifted with each calm inhale. Around their necks sparkled stones, though the real brightness came from how they looked, not what they wore.
