Seeing both Rudeous and Alice still frozen in place, unsure of how to react, Rowan quickly stepped forward with a friendly and convincing composure. "Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Logan," he said warmly, motioning toward the grand doors ahead, "let's head inside. Father and Mother have been waiting to meet you properly."
His calm tone broke the tension. Rudeous and Alice exchanged a quick glance, nodded faintly, and followed after him. Daliah, always the cheerful one, smiled and stepped beside Alice to ease her nerves. "Don't worry, Mrs. Smith," she whispered playfully. "They don't bite."
That earned a small, nervous laugh from Alice, just enough to steady her heart before entering the royal palace.
The moment they crossed the threshold, they saw servants lined on both sides of the hall, bowing deeply as the group passed.
"Please, this way," Rowan gestured again, taking the lead.
