"What role would I have?" Martin asked once he had finally regained his composure.
Only then did he notice something unusual. When Cassandra first revealed herself, one hand had started to rise before he caught the half-salute and awkwardly lowered it again. After that initial reflex, however, he hadn't remained locked in the rigid posture he usually adopted around her.
Alexandra and Katherine had loosened their holds while Cassandra spoke, leaving him enough room to stand on his own without feeling like an employee awaiting judgment.
Maybe having so many celebrities clinging to him had changed something. Perhaps it was the realization that they were genuinely interested in him, enough that a normie like him could imagine pursuing them without immediately dismissing the idea as impossible.
Whatever the reason, his confidence had grown. He wasn't about to transform into some arrogant young master, but the awkwardness that usually held him back no longer felt quite as strong.
