Everyone turned to look at Florian the moment he blurted out, "Are you kidding?"
To the others at the long dining table, it must've seemed like a reaction to King Heinz's response to Alexandria's proposal. A surprised outburst—perhaps from shock.
But it wasn't.
It was because Heinz had ignored him. Ignored him—yet had no problem responding to Alexandria with ease.
And it pissed him off.
"Is there a problem, Your Highness?" Alexandria asked, blinking innocently at him with that gentle smile she always wore.
Florian blinked back, gaze sweeping briefly over her, then flicking toward the assembled dukes, all of whom were watching him now with varying degrees of curiosity. And then, finally, to Heinz.
The king didn't even glance in his direction.
Florian let out a small, quiet sigh. One that carried the weight of a thousand unspoken annoyances.
