Two days after the Emperor's funeral, Ivy Cassia boarded her carriage back to Cassia. That day, Ivy stood on the carriage step, one hand resting on the polished wood of the door frame.
She was dressed for travel, practical layers in the Cassian style, warm wool dyed in deep blues and silvers that complemented her fair hair. The effect was striking without being ostentatious.
She leaned in and pressed a kiss to Damon's cheek.
Yes, it might be scandalous for Iondorans. But in Cassia, this was nothing. An everyday greeting and a comfort between friends. Cheek kisses, embraces, casual intimacies.
Cassia had not built their entire culture around emotional repression and meaningful eye contact from across crowded ballrooms after all.
At the same time, it was a useful device. Damon understood this. These greetings, kisses, hugs, easy physical affection, that Cassians deployed, gave everyone an impression that Cassia and Iondora were good friends. Close allies.
