Xue Yin immediately grabbed Mei Li's arm, gently pulling her along.
"Come, come! I'll show you my home!" she said, her excitement returning, although her eyes continued to search for Kyrian from the corner of her eye.
Mei Li exchanged a look with Kyrian. Her eyes questioned silently.
'Should we go?'
The implications of refusing were many. Kyrian saw it more as an opportunity. The duke was clearly not a man who extended invitations on a whim, especially after his daughter's whisper.
Kyrian pondered for a moment. Having some kind of connection, however tenuous, with a figure of the rank of a duke of the Cloud Empire could open doors.
He gave a slight nod to Mei Li.
She understood and smiled at Xue Yin.
"It will be an honor."
Kyrian, with fluid movements, climbed into the carriage after Mei Li. The interior was spacious, upholstered in dark velvet, and exuded a faint aroma of flowers and ink.
