Chapter 127: Ceremony
A sudden knock rattled Dune's door. He groaned, dragging himself up and cracking it open. Atlas stood there, one brow raised high.
"Why aren't you getting ready?" Atlas asked flatly.
Dune blinked at him, still half-asleep as he got back into his bed. "Ready? For what?"
Atlas's face twitched. "Richard's ceremony. You forgot? He personally invited you."
Dune's eyes widened. "It's already today?!"
Atlas's face fell into his palm. "No. Tomorrow, but get ready, we are taking a dance lesson."
Dune groaned and flopped back onto the bed. "Go without me..."
But before he could settle in, Atlas grabbed the edge of the blanket and yanked him off the bed in one sharp pull. Dune hit the floor with a thud.
"There's no way," Atlas said, voice firm. "I don't know anyone there either. Cassius told me to go by myself and stand with Lady Ceresey, to protect her if anything happens or anyone disrespects her. You have to come, Dune."
Dune let out a long, miserable sigh. "Alright, alright..." He stood up, already reaching for his standard academy clothes.
Atlas caught his wrist. "You're not going like that."