The issue on the ground could be said to be complicated—very complicated indeed.
Kiria was a young consort, someone barely around the same age as the king's second and third sons. So, Lady Kiria was not only furious at Areis because the king doted on her less by giving her quarters to another, but also because the one she had secretly taken an interest in upon entering the palace now seemed to dote openly on that same person.
It made her skin twist and crawl as she took in the affectionate gaze Lucien directed at Areis the moment he entered, followed by the unmistakable look of disgust he spared her.
Especially the fact that Lucien immediately assumed he was in the wrong simply on entering the room and was already prepared to defend Areis.
Yet, she did not let those emotions weigh heavily on her head, nor did she allow them to show on her face. Instead, she summoned her courage, gathered her regal composure, and walked toward Lucien.
