Sterling approached Kacy in the courtyard, where she was walking the dog.
"You take better care of the dog than Lolita takes care of most things," Sterling said.
"I always wanted a dog, but my family was too poor to afford one," she sighed. "Don't you have a meeting to go to with Lolita?"
"I'm on my break," Sterling replied. "Lolita's going to be gone for the global summit. At least that'll give you a break from her."
"Are you going?"
Sterling let out a quiet, humourless breath. "No. Lolita would rather take Axel. I'm staying behind to do paperwork."
"Well, things will definitely be quiet without Lolita."
"What do you do in your spare time? Do you ever go on dates?"
"No. I'm not exactly given a hall pass to leave the castle, Sterling."
"Oh right, I forgot about that." Sterling scratched his head, looking a bit sheepish. "Must get pretty lonely, though. Just being stuck here."
"I have Alina. She's a maid too, so she keeps me company. We share a room."
"Well, it's not the same as having a guy around—"
Kacy shook her head, cutting him off. "I can't think about dating. Not when I'm too worried about how I'm ever going to see my brother again while he's in Technate."
"Technate..." he breathed, the reality sinking in. "How the hell did a civilian even manage to slip past the border patrol?"
"I don't know how he got there," Kacy whispered, her throat tightening. "I just... I saw his face on the news. It's the first time I've even seen him since he was drafted for the war against Technate."
"Maybe he escaped the military and found a way across," Sterling murmured, though his eyes looked completely hollowed out. "But Kacy... there were no survivors from the war with Technate. None."
"What?" Kacy's grip slipped, the leash nearly tumbling from her fingers. "But... there was a boy named Logan who always came into the grocery store where I worked. I had a major crush on him. We were finally supposed to go on a date, but then he got drafted."
Sterling shook his head dismissively. "I'm sorry, Kacy. No soldiers came back to Intermarium." He paused, clearing his throat and trying to soften his expression. "But, hey... don't worry. I'm still available if you ever want to go on that date."
Kacy shook her head, her mind completely passing over his attempt at flirting. "I'm still in shock. No soldiers came back? At all? Are you sure?"
"Trust me," Sterling said, his voice dropping into a serious register. "I worked as a government official and saw the casualty reports myself."
A tear ran down Kacy's cheek. "So I am really not going to see Logan again?"
"Hey, don't worry about it," Sterling said smoothly. "Some things are just meant to be. I know the draft left Intermarium pretty short on guys, but luckily for you, I'm right here."
Kacy pulled away, frowning. "I just told you, I'm not interested in dating right now."
"Hey, I'm good at keeping secrets," Sterling said, flashing a quick smile. "Don't worry about Lolita finding out about us and not allowing you to stay at the castle. She won't know a thing."
"I want to leave this place first, before I even think about dating," Kacy said, wiping the tear from her cheek. "Lolita already makes life here unbearable. I don't need any more stress in my life."
"But you're lonely, Kacy. I can see it in your eyes," Sterling murmured, his voice softening. "You need someone around to lift your spirits while you deal with Lolita every day. Why wait until you leave? You need this now."
"Because I want to leave first," Kacy said, her voice tightening. "Lolita literally gives me no free time. I don't have the energy to manage a relationship while trying to survive her schedule."
"Well, let me talk to Lolita," Sterling said, puffing his chest out a bit. "I can probably convince her to give the staff more time off. Leave it to me."
"You don't have that kind of leverage, Sterling," Kacy replied. "Lolita is too stubborn to listen to what she calls 'staff whims."
A sudden buzz cut between them. Kacy looked down at her waistband, where her pager was lit up and flashing. "I have to go, Sterling. That's my page."
"See you later, Kacy. I'll see what I can do about that schedule." Sterling called out as she turned and headed back inside the castle.