Marcus was leaving the academy when Seraphina appeared at the main gate.
She looked different outside of teaching mode.
Still perfectly composed, but softer somehow. Her hair was in a looser style, platinum blonde catching the afternoon light.
"Lord Marcus. Perfect timing."
Marcus stopped, suddenly aware he'd been staring. "Professor Ashwood. Good afternoon."
"I wanted to speak with you about Theodore." She clasped her hands in front of her, the picture of professionalism. "If you have time?"
"Of course! Always happy to discuss Theodore."
Finally, she wants to talk about Theodore! The plan is working!
"Excellent. However, the academy grounds are rather... public." She gestured vaguely at the students milling about.
"I was thinking somewhere more private would be appropriate."
"Private?"
"For an in-depth discussion about his educational path." Seraphina's ice-blue eyes were perfectly serious.
"There's a quiet café in the merchant district. The Gilded Lily. Are you familiar with it?"
"I know of it."
"Would tomorrow afternoon suit you? Say, three o'clock?"
Marcus's brain was doing victory laps. She wanted a private meeting about Theodore!
This was huge! A proper strategy session!
"Tomorrow works perfectly."
"Wonderful." Seraphina smiled that small, warm smile that seemed reserved just for him.
"I look forward to our discussion."
She walked away with her usual grace, leaving Marcus mentally planning his talking points.
This is it. A whole meeting dedicated to Theodore's future.
I can finally get through to her about his potential.
Maybe suggest some ice-breaking activities. Or...
Marcus was already making lists.
Tomorrow couldn't come fast enough.
✧✧✧
The Gilded Lily was exactly the kind of café Marcus would never have entered in his previous life.
Expensive without being ostentatious. Quiet but not stuffy.
Small tables with actual tablecloths.
The kind of place where people had important conversations over overpriced beverages.
Seraphina already sat at a corner table, two cups of tea steaming in front of her.
"Lord Marcus, thank you for coming." She gestured to the seat across from her. "I took the liberty of ordering. I hope you don't mind chamomile?"
"That's perfect, thank you." Marcus sat down, pulling out his mental notes. "So, about Theodore's curriculum..."
"Before we begin," Seraphina interrupted gently. "How have you been? Truly?"
Marcus blinked. "Me? I'm fine. But we should discuss..."
"Indulge me for a moment." She sipped her tea.
"You've been spending considerable time at the academy. Is it not exhausting?"
"Not at all. Theodore's education is important."
"And your own wellbeing?"
"Is fine."
"Marcus." She set down her cup. "You don't have to be 'fine' all the time."
The use of his first name, without the title, caught him off guard. "I really am okay."
"You gave me permission to be human. To be tired." Her gaze was steady.
"Do you not extend that same grace to yourself?"
Marcus opened his mouth. Closed it. That was a good question.
"I suppose I haven't thought about it."
"Perhaps you should."
They fell into silence. It wasn't uncomfortable.
Marcus found himself actually thinking about her question.
"When did you become a life coach?" Seraphina asked.
Marcus's brain screeched to a halt. "What?"
"You have the instincts of one. Reading people, knowing exactly what to say." She smiled slightly. "It's a rare gift."
She's too perceptive. Abort. Change subjects.
"I just pay attention. Anyone can do it."
"That's not true, and you know it." Seraphina leaned forward slightly. "Most people hear words. You hear feelings. There's a difference."
"Theodore is also good at reading combat situations," Marcus tried desperately. "Speaking of which, his progress in..."
"Has been excellent, yes. He's a model student in physical disciplines." She paused. "Now tell me about your philosophy on life."
"My what?"
"You helped me understand that being strong doesn't mean being invincible. Where did you learn that?"
Marcus's prepared talking points about Theodore were useless here. "Personal experience, I guess."
"Tell me about it."
And somehow, he did.
The conversation spiraled into territories Marcus hadn't expected.
Seraphina asked questions that made him think.
Not about Theodore. About himself, his views, his experiences.
He found himself talking about the pressure of helping others while neglecting yourself.
About the weight of expectations.
About the fear of failing people who depended on you.
She shared her own struggles.
The impossible standard of being the "perfect war widow."
The guilt of moving forward.
The loneliness of being untouchable.
They talked about teaching philosophy.
About the difference between strength and hardness.
About grief that never quite left but could be carried differently.
Marcus noticed, distantly, that he was enjoying himself.
Actually enjoying a conversation that had nothing to do with saving the world or matchmaking his brother.
Seraphina laughed at one of his observations.
A real laugh, not the polite chuckle of Professor Ashwood.
"You see the world in an interesting way," she said.
"Is that good or bad?"
"It's refreshing." She refilled their tea from the pot the server had left. "Most nobles speak in circles. You're direct."
"Is that the polite way of saying I'm rude?"
"It's the honest way of saying you're real."
The café had filled with afternoon patrons. Soft conversations created a pleasant buzz around them.
Marcus realized he had no idea how much time had passed.
"We should probably discuss Theodore's curriculum," he said, feeling guilty.
"If you'd like." Seraphina's tone suggested she didn't particularly care. "Though I think we've established his combat focus is clear."
"Right. But maybe we could..."
"What about you, Marcus? What do you want?"
The question threw him completely. "What do I want?"
"From life. From your future. Not from Theodore's education. From your own path."
Marcus had no answer.
He'd been so focused on saving the world through Theodore that he hadn't thought about his own wants.
"I... don't know."
"Then perhaps that's something worth exploring." Seraphina's gaze was soft. "You're allowed to want things for yourself."
"That seems selfish."
"It's human."
They talked more. Marcus lost track of time completely.
The conversation flowed naturally from topic to topic.
Books they'd read. Views on leadership. Favorite seasons.
Small things and large things all mixed together.
At some point, Marcus realized he was leaning forward. So was Seraphina.
The table between them felt smaller than it had at the start.
"I should let you go," Seraphina said finally, though she made no move to leave. "We've been here for hours."
Marcus checked the café's clock.
Three hours. They'd been talking for three hours.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to monopolize your afternoon."
"You didn't monopolize anything. This was..." She paused, choosing her words. "This was exactly what I needed."
"We barely discussed Theodore."
"Didn't we?" Her smile was enigmatic. "I learned quite a bit about his family support system."
Marcus paid for the tea despite Seraphina's protests. They walked out together into the late afternoon sun.
"Thank you for meeting with me," Seraphina said.
"Of course. For Theodore's education."
"Yes. For Theodore." Something amused flickered in her eyes. "We should do this again."
"Another strategy session?"
"If that's what you'd like to call it."
They parted ways at the café door.
Marcus walked back toward his carriage feeling oddly content.
That went well. I got to know Seraphina better.
Understanding her will help me figure out how to introduce her to Theodore properly.
It was a good plan. A solid plan.
Marcus ignored the small voice in his head that whispered he'd barely mentioned Theodore at all.
And he definitely ignored the warm feeling in his chest when he thought about Seraphina's laugh.
This was all for Theodore. Obviously.
Everything was going according to plan.