There was no trace of the morning excitement left in the dining room.
[Just a couple of hours ago, Genevieve was sitting here pouring out her heart. The servants at the Blanchard estate clearly knew how to work, everything was already in perfect order.]
"Sit down." - Shane said calmly.
“Why are you alone?” - Adaline asked, looking around.
"Genevieve has already left."
“No, I’m not talking about her...”
She wanted to ask why he was here without servants, but did not dare say it out loud.
[From birth, Adaline lived in a world where she was always served. In her twenty-three years she had become accustomed to this. And yet, she spent the last years, especially the last five, alone with Lloyd, and managed to partially wean herself from palace habits.]
[Lloyd was reliable, but Adaline did not entrust him with small household chores.]
[They ate together, she dressed herself.]
[This happened while they lived away from society. But now... here, in the Duke’s house, she was served as expected: food was served, cutlery was changed, water was poured - everything was of the highest standard.]
[I always imagined it was like going to an expensive restaurant. I would even like to leave a tip...]
[Sometimes she really wanted to call the cook and reward him for his good work. This thought warmed me.]
“They will bring you breakfast. Sit down." - Shane repeated and pulled out the chair for her.
“Are you...why are you doing this?”
“Who do you think should do it?”
He sat her down at the table and returned to his place.
Breakfast was simple and correct. After yesterday's wine, I had no appetite on an empty stomach.
Shane spoke first.
“Does the presence of servants bother you?”
"No, I...I don't mind." - Adalyn shrugged. “It doesn’t bother me.”
“Although every time someone comes in, you immediately close up like a shell?”
“I'm just trying to choose my words. It’s not because I’m uncomfortable.”
Shane laughed quietly. Adaline frowned, it seemed to her that he could see right through her.
“I’m telling you, I’m fine!” - she added with emphasis.
"Understood. I’ll try to keep as few people around as possible.”
“No need to do that!” - she flushed.
“If you don’t like something, just say it.”
"Everything is fine! You know, despite everything, I was actually quite popular!”
“Yes, I was. I know this." - he answered calmly.
[Even though I've been a recluse for the past five years...dammit...]
Adaline involuntarily remembered her meeting with Genevieve. Her long-forgotten social skills seemed to be slowly returning.
[Perhaps I should really start going out more often...]
[Since she returned, she was surrounded only by her family, Shane, Genevieve and Edwin. Well, Lucian, if I’m really stretching it by the ears. And she lacked ordinary communication with ordinary people.]
“But you’re hardly ever at home yourself. So don't worry about me."
"I'll stay."
"What?"
“Surprised?”
Shane took a sip from his glass. A simple movement, but with such exquisite grace that Adaline froze for a second. He added:
“Isn’t it natural to stay home after the wedding?”
“Uh...well...yes...” she muttered.
[Lord, let someone erase my memory...]
“But you’re busy.” - she tried to object.
[Shane Blanchard was not just a duke, but a member of parliament, a man whose opinion influenced the affairs of the state. He was part of a small circle of the ruling elite next to the crown prince.]
[He couldn't afford to be inactive. Shouldn't.]
“Everything I do is something I choose to do.” - he said calmly.
“But you...you're an aristocrat. You must do your duty..."
Having said this, Adaline immediately mentally corrected herself. [You certainly spoke well, especially considering that you ran away from all your responsibilities...]
[No, no, you have the right to be gentle with yourself, dear. Everything is fine...] - she persuaded herself.
“According to protocol, I would have to visit my father in the county, but he himself will come to the founding festival in Delmez. So this point can be crossed out.”
“You don’t need to adapt to me. Live as before."
[It’s even easier for me when you’re not around...]
Adaline couldn't say it out loud. But it was also impossible not to say.
She had too much to do.
[Genevieve's attacker has still not been found.]
[It has not been proven that this is the work of a sorcerer, but the likelihood is high. And even if not, as long as he is alive, Genevieve is in danger.]
[To find the magician hiding among the nobility, Adaline will have to expand her scope of action. And things have already begun to deviate from the book, so she needs to spend more time with Genevieve.]
Suddenly Shane chuckled briefly. There was a steely note to the sound that made Adaline blink.
“It seems like you forgot something, Adaline.”
The calm atmosphere disappeared, as if it had been blown away by the wind.
“I appreciate that you pretend that you married me of your own free will...”
She was silent.
"...but I won't let you escape again."
He looked at her, smiling - too soft, too warm. And his icy eyes sparkled.
“I will never let you leave this house again, my love.”