Garius took a slow sip of his wine, his sharp eyes flickering with amusement.
Then, in a calm yet deliberate tone, he spoke.
"Hmm? Where is the halfling that vouched for her?"
Silence filled the air.
The small figure stiffened at his words.
She had been standing quietly in the background, keeping her distance even as Mrs. Julana rushed to embrace Zania.
But now—
Garius's gaze locked onto her.
"Wow…" he mused, swirling his wine lazily. "Is this how halflings behave in a foreign land?"
His tone was casual, but there was a weight behind his words.
A slow smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
"How rude."
Hesbeirn, standing nearby, remained silent and observant.
The Armand guards didn't move.
Alf and Erinette remained unreadable.
The halfling girl tensed.
Then—she took a deep breath and stepped forward.
With a graceful, practiced motion, she bowed deeply toward Garius.
