This was, without a doubt, the most exhausting and soul-numbing banquet I'd ever attended, even worse than those dreadful political summits back in my world.
Endless toasts layered in empty flattery, hidden behind polite, practiced smiles. Lavish gifts were presented with grand gestures, only to be discarded aside without a second glance from Killian.
He rested his cheek lazily against his hand on the armrest, making no effort to mask his boredom. He even yawned — dramatically — and waved his hand as if urging the noble performers to hurry and wrap up whatever insipid show they were putting on.
My back had gone stiff from sitting upright for so long, my cheeks sore from the forced smile I'd had to maintain. If I had my way, I'd sprawl out just like Killian and start waving nobles off too.
