Serena smiled tightly, her lips pressed together in an expression more polite than warm. A strained laugh slipped past her. Had she overstepped? Alexander's gaze lingered on her, brimming with boyish enthusiasm.
"It is the most efficient way of working," Serena said, keeping her voice even.
Alexander accepted the statement without question. "You are beautiful as you are wise. Let us see the armour."
Darius' upper lip twitched.
He would not acknowledge the disgust brewing in his chest. He forced himself to remain expressionless, but the compliment- it was so cloying, so calculated, it scraped against his nerves. Alexander drizzled his flattery like honey over a slice of bread, utterly misplaced.
It was very obvious, even to the blind that he was trying to gain favour in Serena's eyes, but it ticked off Darius in a way that would be considered childish.
"Thank you," Serena said softly.
