“Come, darling.” The queen’s voice, loud and jubilant, filled with just the right level of hypocrisy and a shard of scorn sucked all attention away from the Red Devil. Hands gently tugging her husband’s bicep with a mischievous smile, Lucy announced, “It’s time to join the show: this ministerial-organized circus.”

The human ministers flinched, Ferdinand included - a sight witnessed by the majority of the room. The Ferdinands’ forced smiles withered. The only difference was that Larissa’s smile withered under the spotlight, her mask falling a little too long.

With bright eyes and a broad smile, Xandar bowed low and offered his wife his hand like he was still courting...