Since Zion couldn't send Claire away no matter what he tried, he had no choice but to reluctantly accept that she had no intention of returning, let alone facing the royal convoy. She had left him to handle everything on his own. Still, this arrangement had its advantages. By dealing with the convoy himself, Zion could control the flow of information and buy more time to gather evidence and clear Addison's name.
To keep up appearances, Zion put on the act of a man caught in a difficult dilemma. If he showed even a hint of enthusiasm or eagerness to manage the royal convoy, Claire would grow suspicious. She might assume he was secretly pleased she wasn't returning, mistaking it as a sign that he wanted her to stay by his side.
The mere thought made his skin crawl. Still, he knew he had to tread carefully. Acting too eager could easily send the wrong message, giving Claire the impression that he harbored feelings for her or was happy about her continued presence.
