Did Florian hear that correctly?
He definitely did.
And there was only one suitable reaction to Lucius' stupid—no, staggeringly idiotic—words.
"Pfft."A snort escaped before he could stop it, and he had to slap a hand over his mouth, shoulders already shaking with the effort of holding it in. But he didn't stand a chance.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
He burst into laughter like a dam had broken inside him—loud, ugly, glorious laughter that echoed down the hall. It was raw, unfiltered, and it kept coming like a wave crashing over him again and again.
Lucius stood there, frozen in place like someone had smacked him with a brick.
"Your... Highness?" Lucius asked, cautious, as if unsure whether Florian was laughing or having a breakdown.
Even Azure, perched nearby, tilted his little dragon head with an adorably puzzled squeak, his wings twitching nervously. Concern shimmered in those bright blue eyes.
But Florian couldn't stop. Gods, he couldn't stop.
It was so funny.
It was so damn funny.
