"See? This is exactly what happens when we use the front entrance," Caspian muttered with an air of smugness, his arms folded like he'd planned the chaos himself. His grin widened as he leaned a little too casually toward Estes. "No drama, no grand entrance, just good old-fashioned near-death diplomacy."
Estes, ever the responsible adult in their duo, sighed like someone who had long ago resigned himself to the eternal babysitting of celestial royalty. He slowly raised one hand in a practiced, almost bored gesture toward the ring of elves now surrounding them, their drawn bows and glinting swords poised to turn Caspian into a pincushion.
"I told you we should've waited for the official escort," Estes muttered under his breath.
"You also said King Asmaros wouldn't roast me alive the next time he saw me," Caspian quipped, glancing around with an unfazed look as if this sort of reception was perfectly normal for him. "So, clearly, someone's sense of judgment is a little off lately."
