Inside the dining room, Gavriel felt utterly fascinated to be glared at by her. He did not even realise a small smile was creeping onto his face, completely unbothered that he was under Aliana's direct line of fire.
Aliana, on the other hand, saw that faint smile and felt her blood boil at how brazen he was being. Her fingers tightened around the knife placed next to her plate, as if she were getting ready to stab him the moment he spilled any more nonsense.
Deliberately choosing to ignore the gravity of the situation, Gavriel decided to push her buttons instead. "Why do you care? If I recalled correctly, didn't you want me to keep my distance?"
Aliana blinked, her mouth parting in pure disbelief. "Are you being serious right now?"
"Do I look like I am joking?"
"I can see that sly smile on your face," she pointed out, aggressively gesturing with the knife she was holding.
"Well, you read it wrong, little rose," he replied flatly.
