ne kn

et around her neck-the only thing in this estate that felt like hers.She hadn't m

softer this time. Not u

pped toward the doo

d it, she didn

, her hair tucked into a perfect bun. Her hands were f

orning,

Ma'am. That sti

that I bring you breakfast and assi

that. It shouldn't. It was his name. But somehow it felt li

in," she said,

mall glass table by the window - croissants, fruit

or a moment She looked b

y asking, fol

s your

ieve,

corrected gently. I'm not used

dded shyly.

d a vase of flowers - stark white ros

ything around her was unfamiliar. She felt like she'd be

g always thi

Mr. Wolfe's private wing. Only a few staff are permit

t the two

has a meeting later today, and I believe Mr.

e house? Is it alwa

alues silence. Most of the house is much livelier - the m

uctured. Mr. Wol

It's like a museum in here, Elara

, then quickly apologize

Elara said. It doe

e gently, "And you? How lo

ted before Mr. Wolfe's grandfather

e still so many missing pieces. So many v

e doesn't let many people in t

e live

Her eyes flicked up, caut

croissant but not eating. So what should I k

loser, lowering her voice li

blic matters. There's Cain, the head of security, and Mrs H

n? What do

involved, but also very distant. He gives orders, but rarel

brow. "That's

evieve added quietly. "But

ond, another knock came

y straightened. "Tha

in a play, th

t two buttons undone. Effortless. Controlled. But his eyes were sharp ,that somehow made h

ept?" h

her arms.

ed to Geneviev

d quickly and al

them again. This time in

able and picked up an appl

," she replied dry

ngth. There's a lot of

give me the grand tour? Or am I just suppo

can go wherever you wan

rs. "You're only getting a br

urse i

's boundaries. Don't speak to the press. Don't invite an

nterrupted. "I'm no

moment. "Still. This marri

ting her elbows on her knees

slow nod.

oat tig

ou're serious about lett

er one co

press, no public

You want a stage? Build one. But do it quietly.

d. "Until I'm wort

Until I've cleared the

omething raw in the way he said it. Tired. L

the house," she said. "

d. "It's f

one word

almost amused. "You have a way of maki

erything with you

n't de

ek black card. "This is for your use. Anything you need.

t it, then t

buying me of

kno

at I expected,

t tryin

chair. "And what do

st stood, walked to the windo

n. And if it's not

l show you the house when you're ready. You'll have access

ning

elf-de

a bl

hout turning around. "I suggest y

t at the way he said them. Like someone

he wa

ing at the card in her hand an

. Not a ho

something