Voyage I: Lentini

[Reeves]

This ordeal ceased being mildly amusing and had instead become mildly annoying. A marital dispute made his job unnecessarily complicated, and Gabriel hated complications, unless they were the fun kind. If what he just had to watch was a successful proposal, then what he'd do next was a preemptive divorce. It was likely quite ill advised, but he put himself between the two women, taking Claire's hand if only to remove the ring again. He had no respect for the item itself, and it was unlikely that the owner did either. It seemed fairly obvious to him that if Claire felt distressed enough then she would try to escape with any means at her disposal. And if word got out that he couldn't properly secure some royal brat, then he might as well kill himself to avoid the ensuing lack of employment.

— You've had perhaps too much to drink. And causing a dispute due to personal insecurity would make it difficult for to ensure the secrecy of Her Highnesses' presence. It also renders her distinctly less inclined to cooperate, which I require in the event of unforeseen complications. Do you want this back or shall I place it somewhere for safe keeping?

He held the now displaced ring in his hand, offering it to his employer, while his free hand tensed slightly in anticipation. His face might as well have been hidden, there wasn't the slightest hint of an emotion on it. Claire would be obscured behind him, a deliberate act of positioning. This entire situation was incredibly awkward, and he hated the fact that he found himself being the apparent voice of reason.