HEART OF GOLD | CORIOLANUS SNOW

𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 107

Coriolanus didn't let go of Lilith until the lights came back on and they had to rise at the end of the film for the anthem. At least by then, she had stopped shaking.

As always, he sang every word and she sang none. After which, Coriolanus had to escort President Ravinstill on stage, where eight-year-old Caesar Flickerman bounced out of the curtains looking an exact miniature replica of his father, from ridiculous green hairdo to ridiculous green suit. But the audience cheered at the boy's appearance, so who was he to argue?

Borne on a maroon velvet cushion, the victor's crown was an ornate silver headdress boasting intricate detail, visually impressive but practically worthless. It was meant for a district citizen after all, and constructed out of a cheap, albeit non-tarnishing, alternative rather than authentic precious metal.

After posing for a series of photographs with him and president flanking the victor, Otho had to sit down and rest his new knee, which didn't seem very new at all. He wouldn't be allowed anymore pictures tonight, the official reason being his injury. Interested parties would be advised to not to miss their chance again when he returned to the Capitol for the Victor's Festival in January.

As Coriolanus ushered President Ravinstill to the banquet hall, he sensed a further deterioration in the man's health. Despite their positively snail-like pace, he was out of breath when they finally arrived at their table, where Narcissa Bridgerton, his youngest daughter and usual companion to social functions, controlled his calorie intake like a well-trained nutritionist. Coriolanus made a mental note to scope out his condition with Lysistrata if he had another opportunity; he had just seen her at baby Maia's shower but was too preoccupied then.

Ousted in favour of a mentor, Lilith did not dine with them. Instead, her seat had been reshuffled to join her classmates somewhere on the other side of the ballroom, and it was in that general direction where he headed after his well-timed bathroom break.

Now that he had both her outfit and company as guides, Coriolanus picked her out of the crowd more quickly. As he made his way over, not quite via a beeline but also not totally casual, he noticed that her best friends were decked in the same dress as her, albeit sporting different hues: Olympia Heavensbee, forest green; Athena Click, cobalt blue that matched his tuxedo; Lilith, hot pink that matched his rosebud.

Separately, the elegant—if somewhat provocative—silk garment was unembellished and not so memorable as to be easily identified as identical to another in the room. Standing together, though, the three of them could pass off as a trio of secret agents rather than mere college graduates.

Green-blue-pink was the sequence as they—like most other guests by this juncture in the feast—milled around amongst their peers, holding glasses of bubbly liquid. Lilith, who had spotted him over the rim of hers as he re-entered the hall, had been throwing him furtive glances periodically ever since, looking more and more uncomfortable each time. Now that he was approaching in full view, her expression was downright alarmed.

Not to be full of himself, but Coriolanus had no doubts about her feelings for him. Not since she had left a note and aspirinth on his desk. Not since he'd witnessed the look in her eyes as they hid under one. Not after she had chased him through the arena and held his hand even though he had not divulged what troubled him. Definitely not after how she had clung onto him last night and gazed back at him with that look of longing before disappearing behind that intricately carved cherry wood door.

His only theory, so far, for her readiness to abide by his request to keep what had happened in District 2 between them was propriety.

Well-bred as she was, decorum, conforming to society's standards, had assuredly been ingrained as a top priority. Seeing a direct superior would have been frowned upon even in lesser circles, and despite her supposed role model flouting this unspoken rule in the most ultimate manner possible, it did not seem to make her any more receptive to the idea. If anything, Coriolanus thought Lilith might disapprove of it even more than if her father hadn't married his ex-secretary—who wasn't her mother.