"I'm just a lady-in-waiting"
"Just?" Embrez gasped. "Blasphemy. A rose can grow by any name. And I say you, my dear Jean, are a rare bloom."
Lucius growled. Literally.
Jean turned quickly to her right. "Lucius, did you—?"
"Yes," he said without blinking. "And I will growl again if this peacock keeps touching you."
Embrez grinned wider. "How charmingly barbaric. Tell me, are all vampires this territorial, or just the brooding ones?"
Lucius leaned in, fangs subtly showing. "Only the ones in love."
Jean blinked. The table stilled for a second.
"L-love?" she whispered.
Lucius leaned back and sipped his wine.
Embrez arched a brow. "Ah. Then I shall tread carefully... until she chooses."
Jean looked between them, flustered, cheeks glowing pink, the center of attention and affection in the worst way. Yet her chest fluttered at Lucius's words.
"I'm also an archeologist," Jean whispered making Embrez smile and continue the conversation.
