After the bride and groom received the King's blessings, Elder Hall felt the King's gaze on him.
He stiffened his back and sat straight, not sparing a gaze in the King's direction.
He knew what that gaze meant but he could not bring himself to give away the treasure he brought back after risking his life to a man like Jeremiah.
He would rather have them handed over to Esme privately.
Only he knew how many disasters he had courted trying to get his hands on the jewels from the moon god and the ancient water dragon.
Unbeknownst to Elder Hall's plight, Jeremiah held Esme's hand and curtsied to the King before he turned to leave.
''Stop,'' Elder Hall pushed himself to his feet.
The wedding had already happened and no matter how he looked, Esme did not look like a happy bride.
But he could not understand why the King could not see that.