Miguel's mouth twitched. Then something came out of him that was entirely different from anything he'd produced before in this conversation, a laugh, genuine and uncontrollable, the kind that bends a person forward. He laughed until he had to wipe his eyes.
Raphael watched the man who had maintained composed ecclesiastical composure through everything tonight proceed to completely lose it, and said nothing.
When it finally subsided, Miguel straightened up and didn't say anything either. There was nothing that needed to be said.
---
Raphael left the room. He had no interest in watching the dragon blood blade oil being prepared, so he went looking for booth 01 instead.
Not far, two security guards on the door, a placard indicating current occupancy. Someone was inside.
The count had apparently kept himself to booth 04. Booths 03 through 01 were reserved for the regular important visitors.
Raphael glanced at Alp.
