The banquet hall was lively. It was packed with nobles and envoys from other kingdoms alike. Even from the entrance, Arianne could already hear the chatter accompanied by the music of an orchestra. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits now that the negotiations with neighboring kingdoms had come to a close, with peace restored to the empire.

“Duke and Duchess of Clarevant are now entering!” the doorkeeper announced Arianne and Aldwynne’s entrance.

“It seems more extravagant than the previous banquets,” Arianne commented. Her arm hooked around Aldwynne’s as the pair walked across the hall. Her eyes scanned around and found people’s eyes on them. “And it seems that we made quite the entrance,” she chuckled.

Aldwynne glanced at the small figure beside him. The corner of his lips lifted at her comments. “Let them be. They’re just curious. It’s been a long time since we last went to a banquet.”

“That’s true. Although I believe they’re more curious about the man who led all those successful negotiations,” Arianne teased him. “Even the envoys from other kingdoms had their eyes on you.”

As if proving her words, several people approached them almost immediately.

“Duke Clarevant, there you are.”

“Duke Clarevant, we’ve been waiting for you.”

“Duke Clarevant-“

Arianne exchanged a few greetings with them, along with Aldwynne, before she unhooked her arm from his. “I’ll be with the other ladies nearby,” she whispered to him before turning her attention back to the small crowd gathering around them. “Well then, I shall leave you to your discussions.”

Aldwynne watched as his wife left. His gaze lingered on her back for a moment before he turned his attention back to the gentlemen surrounding him.

“You must truly love your wife, Duke Clarevant.”

The remark caught him off guard. His expression faltered for a brief moment as he found himself at a loss for words. He had expected to become the topic of their conversation, but not like this.

“Right, his eyes lingered on the Duchess when she left,” another gentleman chimed in. “Didn’t you both know each other since you were young?”

“Oh, I’ve heard the stories! You two were childhood sweethearts.”

He smiled politely as they continued talking about their marriage. “That reminds me,” he said, steering the conversation elsewhere, “what is it that you want to talk about?”

“Oh, right! It’s about the negotiations…”

“Duke Clarevant, there was this—”

***

Arianne was on her way to join the other ladies when her eyes caught a familiar figure standing in the corner of the hall.

Her brother, Giovanne, stood there with a glass of wine in hand, swirling it mindlessly. His eyes were fixed on something that, when Arianne followed his line of sight, turned out to be Aldwynne. Curiosity got the better of her, so she changed her course and approached him. After all, it was a lone sight amidst the lively chatter in the banquet hall.

“Brother,” she greeted him, “it’s been a while.”

Giovanne shifted his gaze towards her and gave her a brief nod before returning his attention to Aldwynne. That was unusual of him, she thought to herself. They may not be the closest of siblings out there—not as close as she was to Lilianne, at least—but she knew they were close enough to exchange greetings beyond a simple acknowledgment. After all, the three of them grew up together despite their age differences.

“How have you been, brother?” she asked, naturally settling herself beside him despite the lingering awkwardness.

“Just the usual,” he answered. He did not spare a glance in her direction despite letting her near. “How about you and Aldwynne?”

Arianne, although confused, answered, “we’re good.”

Giovanne did not say another word at her response. The two siblings stood there in silence, with Arianne stealing glances at her brother. “Are you really okay, brother?”

Giovanne finally gazed at her. His brow raised up as if he was questioning her question.

“You know … since Sister Lilianne’s funer—”

Before Arianne could even finish her question, Giovanne cut her off. “Oh, sorry, but I have something to do over there. You have fun, Arianne.”

With that, Arianne was left alone in confusion. She gazed at her brother’s back, unable to come up with logical explanations of her own brother’s indifferent attitude.

Maybe he was busy, was what she came up with, as she saw him going upstairs with Sir Cassiander. She could only leave the unanswered questions at the back of her mind as she made her way to the other ladies.

What exactly happened to her brother? She could feel something had shifted in their relationship that she was not aware of.