The silence after their exchange lingered ... not awkward, but thoughtful. The morning light spilled warmly through the tall windows, painting the marble floor in soft gold. Seagulls cried faintly from somewhere beyond the cliffs, and the distant hum of the sea reached them like a low heartbeat.
Aurelia picked at her food not feeling quite hungry. Her fingers tracing absently along the glass of wine. "Your father's steward came by earlier," she said at last, her voice quiet.
Vaelric, seated near the table, glanced up. "Oh?"
"He said I'm to attend a family dinner tonight," she continued. "Your father wishes me to be properly acquainted with everyone."
He blinked once, surprise flickering in his pale eyes. "A dinner?"
She turned toward him, the sunlight catching the faint sheen of her copper hair. "Yes. I imagine it will be… interesting."
