Chapter Text
Everyone knows that when an animal bares its teeth, showing off a sneer, it was a sign of aggression - a warning of violence. Nowadays, most people call that same toothy-grin "smiling" and see it as an expression of kindness. Smiles, laughter, grins - all characteristics seen as positive and charming, things that lower people's guards - a way to get closer to them.
Most people don't expect bad intentions when someone is smiling. They expect kindness and camaraderie. They expect someone who may be honest, both to themself and to others. For a majority of people, this was certainly true and a valid judgment.
But you knew better when you saw Sylvain's smile. His crafted, handsome smile that meant to disarm to better suit his purposes. His was very well done - while Claude's smile never reached his eyes, Sylvain had somehow convinced himself that what he was doing was right, making his smile completely believable to almost everyone, even himself. He seemed to believe in his own farce. Whether this was out of desperation or delusion, you weren't sure.
But you, Yuri LeClerc, weren't untrained; you were better trained than most. You could spot the animalistic aggression from across the room, the way Sylvain acted more like a predator going in for the kill than a dashing suitor flirting with eligible women. His smile was poised to attack, ready to bite the willing throats that didn't play the way he liked. Like a cat toying with its prey, he batted them around and discarded them on his terms. As he turned them down with that sweet smile - tense, threatening, a glimmer of his real intentions lying just underneath - they were upset, not only to have their aspirations broken but to be simply a plaything. Just as the cat doesn't cry over losing a simple mouse, so too did Sylvain never shed a genuine tear over these women.
Try as he might to pretend like he actually cared, his body belied the truth plain as day to you.
"...Stay away from Sylvain Gautier." Your voice is hushed so as to not startle the others nearby. Hapi and Constance turn towards you, both with very different expressions.
"You got it, Yuribird. He seemed like a hassle anyways, so I'm glad you're not making me talk to him."
"What?! Hapi, you may be able to accept it so easily, but I cannot." While Constance manages to keep her voice lowered, she still places her hands on her hips in defiance. "As the heir to House Nuvelle, I must keep good relations with the other nobles, even of other houses! It's simply inevitable that I will be speaking with him to keep good favor."
You smirk at her, knowing full well how to deal with Constance's stubbornness. "Well, it was mostly meant as a warning. If you must speak with him, I won't stop you. I won't save you either."
This gives Constance pause, and she seems to think it over a minute.
"..Very well. I understand, Yuri. I'll defer to your judgement this one time, I suppose. Though I wish you wouldn't make such demands on a whim!" Huffing, she turned back to resume her work.
At least you could assure the safety of yours. Anyone else is fair game.