Chapter 43: The Visit (2)
He knew that the original Adrien had adored the Countess and even had fond memories of her from when he was younger, it was just that she was absent from his life most of the time. Ever since his maternal uncle had disappeared before he had been born, the Countess had been torn between two places as she tried to fill in her father’s shoes after he’d gone into shock over his son’s disappearance.
That meant that young Adrien had spent more time with the Count than the Countess. And that man had been strict and had even grown abusive once Adrien had grown older.
I can’t wait till I can save up enough money to not see him again. Though, I probably won’t see much of him since I have to train to take over grandfather’s title after I graduate from the Academy.
"How have your classes been fairing? You can always opt out and take a lower level if they’re too difficult."
"There’s no need," he told his mother. "They’re not that difficult, in fact, I’ve been enjoying them."
"That’s good," the Countess hummed with a smile, her eyes still scanning Adrien’s room. "Have you made many friends?"
The flickering of the Count’s eyes and the subtle tilt of his head told them that he was listening in on their conversation.
"Yes. I’ve grown quite close with the ladies of house Ceciles. . .and his highness, the second prince."
Adrien did not miss the lingering look the Count gave him when he mentioned Mikyle. Crap! Word of our relation has spread that far!
Adrien quickly averted his eyes away from the Count and looked at the Countess instead. The woman was looking down at the floor but Adrien could still see the fear in her eyes. Fear? Why is she feeling fear? It isn’t because her son is gay, is it?!
Adrien felt anxiety grip his heart. He never had to fear hiding who he was because his sisters never would have allowed it since they firmly believed in giving voice to your feelings. But he no longer lived in the modern world, nor were the people of nobility as open minded or as understanding as the sisters he had in his previous life.
"Why them?" The Countess quietly muttered. Her hands were pale as they gripped the hem of her dress.
Them? Wait, is this reaction over the Ceciles’ sisters and not Mikyle? Why?
The Count walked over to the Countess and placed a hand gently on her shoulder. "We should leave now if we wish to make our reservation," his voice was surprisingly soft.
. . . .
Sarina was sitting in her office, reviewing over documents that needed her signature when her aide came in.
"Your Majesty, an update on the matter you requested." He handed over the letter he had been carrying.
She opened it and carefully read over the two lines that were written on it.
Last week, she had witnessed her beloved half-son on a date at the theater. So she did what any good mother would do; she requested information on the boy her son had his date with.
She didn’t use Dor-Shey Da’at to gather the intel since she knew her husband somehow had his hands dipped into the guild. She wasn’t sure if he secretly owned the information guild or if he had dirt on the real owner. All Sarina knew for sure, was that she was the only one in the family to possess that knowledge.
So, she used a variety of smaller guilds and individuals to gather information. They weren’t as efficient as Dor-Shey Da’at, but they worked well enough for the things she used them for.
Sarina folded the paper in half, she then threw it in the small fireplace that was crackling away. The Palace mainly used Mana Stones and magicians to regulate the temperatures and control the lighting, but Sarina was a woman who was unable to use magic and so preferred using the simple method of lighting a candle or starting a fire in the fireplace. Asher and Paulina certainly loved poking fun of her for her stubborn ways and her love for the smell of burning wood.
"Have a gown prepared for me. Also, have Heofonlic Fōdo prepare a table for me on the balcony level."
"What time will you be dining there?"
"Hmm," she tapped her lip, looking as if she needed some time to think about it, when in reality, she already knew the answer. "Two."
She then walked out of her office. The aide, who had left after her, scurried on ahead to prepare the things she had ordered.
"Oh? Your Majesty."
"Lianna, dear. What brings you here?" Sarina looked down at her future daughter-in-law, a smile coming to her red-painted lips at the pleasant surprise.
"Her Majesty, Queen Consort Paulina, is having tea with Nathaniel. His highness had wanted to seek her advice about something."
"Aah." Sarina nodded, having a feeling that the advice Nathaniel was searching for was probably about which present to gift Lianna for her birthday the following month. "Hmm, you know, dear, I’m about to head out? Would you like to join me?"
Lianna’s curt smile broke into a beautiful grin that showed her teeth briefly. "Am the way I’m dressed suitable, or do I need to change?"
"Hoho," Sarina chuckled. "We’ll be going as ourselves today. No need for disguises. That being said, I will be changing into something more comfortable before departing."
The two of them made their way to Sarina’s chambers where she changed into something more comfortable. After that, the two of them made their way down the winding staircase and headed outside to where the carriage was already waiting for them.
"Is there something special planned for today?" Lianna asked, the silver ornaments in her hair gleaming like stars.
"I plan on doing some reconnaissance. I hope you haven’t eaten anything yet."
"I haven’t."
After a while, the carriage pulled up to the restaurant where Sarina had reservations made just hours before. She and Lianna were greeted by the owner, the head chef, and the head waiter. After passing along their greetings, the two were led to a table on the second floor. It was a private wing only available to VIP guests and it was in a spot that allowed for one to look out onto the diners on the main floor.
Their food had just arrived when Sarina spotted a familiar head of blonde hair entering through the main door. The boy was accompanied by Count Mallorne and his wife.
Lianna, who had noticed that the Queen was preoccupied with something on the first floor, looked out over the balcony’s ledge from where she sat. The drink she had just taken tried to make its way back up her throat when she noticed what, or who, held the Queen’s attention.
"It seems your Majesty knows about the kitten Mikyle has been keeping to himself," Lianna commented, feeling strange at using the terms that Mikyle himself had used before.
Sarina’s lips lifted into a wicked smile and her eyes glinted with amusement. "I coincidentally happened upon them last week at the theater. I kept my presence hidden so as to not ruin their date."
Lianna nodded along, dabbing at her lips with a clothed napkin. "That must have been their first date. It was supposed to have happened earlier, but that, well, was canceled."
"I figured as much. Kyle was never one to argue against Asher or Paulina, but he was very adamant about avoiding being put on house arrest. I must say, Kyle certainly has excellent taste."
"You should see the way he looks at him. I have never seen Mikyle smile that way before. It’s a shame that he refuses to introduce me to him," Lianna complained.
Sarina chuckled as she brought the wine glass close to her lips. "I can only imagine."
"Will you be telling King Asher and Queen Consort Paulina about this?"
Sarina cocked her head to the side with a sigh. Her eyes lingered on the young Mallorne boy for a bit longer. "I have a feeling Asher already knows." If Asher really did have connections to Dor-Shey Da’at like she suspected, then he probably already knew everything about his sons’ lives outside of the Palace, and if not, then it was only a matter of time before he found out. "As for Paulina, I think I’ll wait until Mikyle explains it to her himself. And I plan on being present when he does." That was a spectacle that she could not afford to miss.
Sarina turned her eyes away and took another sip of her wine. "Does Nathaniel know as well?" Even though she asked, she had a feeling that her eldest was still in the dark. If Nathaniel had discovered Mikyle’s relationship, then there was no doubt in her mind that she would have seen a banner or two congratulating Mikyle on his first ever relationship.
Lianna and Sarina sighed, their thoughts surprisingly aligned.
"No, and I plan on keeping Nathaniel oblivious to it for as long as possible," Lianna answered truthfully.
"A wise decision, indeed."