Dominic was startled by the sound of the door slamming open.
Crown Prince Claudius stormed into the room, then stopped when he realized that Dominic and Alexis were in separate rooms as she finished getting ready.
"Crown Prince. Good morning. There is coffee if you would like?" Dominic greeted him with a genuine smile.
So, Claudius really had meant the 'keep your hands off my sister' part of the message.
Alexis stuck her head around the corner and gave her brother an annoyed look, which he returned with a straightening of his back, emphasizing that he was the one being proper.
When Dominic was just her advisor, good behaviour was a simple matter of professional expectations. But now that he was also a suitor, there were other considerations and reputations to maintain.
"First Brother, we are ready to head for the meeting." Alexis announced, while Claudius stood in uncomfortable silence at the door between the two rooms.
