"The ceremonies of the powerful are brief."
***
The laughter that followed was soft, cultured, and sharp enough to draw blood.
I ducked my head lower and mumbled something about needing to find my assigned position. Let them interpret my retreat as embarrassment rather than tactical withdrawal.
As we moved deeper into the cathedral's nave, weaving between clusters of noble families who parted around us like we were contagious, I caught sight of Lucius holding court near the Leone family banners.
He'd positioned himself with a tactician's eye for maximum visibility. Close enough to the main aisle to be noticed by important families. Far enough from Father's actual position to subtly distance himself from association.
His dark blue doublet was tailored to perfection. Cut to emphasize his broader shoulders and the confident set of his bearing. Even from across the cathedral, I could see him working the crowd. His smile was controlled. His gestures were smooth.
