The ballroom had been completely transformed. Alina had been working since dawn: directing servants, adjusting details, fixing anything that felt out of place.
Emeric had become her logistics partner. He was cheerful, energetic, and unbothered by the chaos. He moved tables, adjusted candles, gave instructions to servants and somehow still found time to interfere where he wasn't needed.
He even lifted Alina to help her reach a banner that was hanging crooked.
"Put me down!" she shrieked, grabbing his shoulder.
"You were taking too long."
She hit his shoulder but he didn't put her down. He instead carried her to the other side to fix the banner, then set her down as if she weighed nothing. She smoothed her dress and glared at him, but then laughed.
"You're impossible."
"You've told me that before. I've decided to take it as a compliment."
She pretended to be annoyed but failed.
"Come…we have a lot to do," Emeric said and she followed.
