As I walked down, holding the sides of my robe, I focused only on Elijah. I avoided eye contact with anyone else, refusing to look anxious. Elijah was the only familiar face here, even if he was a bastard.

He looked in my direction, and for a moment, I felt... admiration?

He wasn't drooling, but it was my first time seeing something else in his eyes.

The wolves moved aside, allowing me to walk straight up to him. I nodded politely to both Elijah and the old man beside him.

"I apologize for my absence earlier," I said to Elijah.

He was silent for a moment, then let out a...