And which are you this evening?
“If it troubled me, I would take steps to remedy it. But that would be a violation of her laws as much as your privacy. Whatever you think of me, Chaldean, I do not deal in treason. Besides,” Ah, that smile… That wonderful, teasing smile that was at once welcoming and mocking. It was hard to tell, with Mikino, where that amusement was directed—inward or out. There was a joke in there somewhere, and he had that look of patient suspense; of waiting for the rest of the world to catch on. It summed up his views of the court nicely enough. “I enjoy the rare mystery now and then. You, my Lady, are surrounded by masks.”
A sweeping gesture indicated the crowds, spread out into their little throngs here and there. Then his attentions returned to her, as pleasant as a courtier ought to be. “I am graced with but one.”
The smile was something else with Shayleiah. Softer. Those little nuances were there if she cared to pick up on them. Perhaps he was not so good at the game as he thought. Or perhaps he just wanted those attentive enough to subtleties to see more. “It is. But at six years old, she is right. I need to start learning to step back.”
She was still being watched, of course, but his presence would have done so much to cast a shadow over hers, and that was not his desire.
The conversation turned back to Melisande, and he agreeably followed her lead in the shift of topic. “She is lovely. Mr. Moreau will have to take care to keep her.”