Chapter 145 - Together together?

Chapter 145: 145 - Together together?

Dinner that evening was simpler than Adrien had expected from a mansion that size. The four of them sat around a long table in one of the smaller dining rooms instead of the enormous formal hall he had passed on the way in. Cordelia explained that her family used the estate as a seasonal residence, much like Greymoor had once been for the Clairmonts.

Unlike Greymoor, though, this place had never turned into anyone’s permanent home. Most of Cordelia’s family lived closer to the capital, and only a small number of servants stayed here through the year, which explained how quiet the corridors had been on the walk in.

Adrien noticed another difference once the food arrived. It ran lighter than anything he was used to in Valleroy.

There was meat, though far less of it, and most of the table carried vegetables, fruit, grains, river fish and several dishes he could not name. Even the seasoning worked differently, sharp fresh herbs instead of the heavy sauces common in noble houses back home.

He tried a piece of fish wrapped in a broad green leaf. "This is good."

Cordelia looked toward him. "You sound surprised."

"I am. Food in Valleroy is usually heavier than this. A lot heavier."

Amelia nodded. "That’s one thing you’ll notice quickly. Sylvamir uses much more fresh produce, especially outside the capital."

Adrien looked over the table again.

Even the serving worked differently, with most dishes placed in the middle for everyone to take what they wanted rather than servants carrying courses out one at a time. None of it was foreign exactly, only different enough to keep reminding him he had crossed into another kingdom.

Cordelia would be travelling with them in the morning, since she had business in the capital and had already planned to head back soon.

"The first train leaves shortly after sunrise," she said. "If we take that one, we should reach the capital before evening."

Adrien looked toward her. "That long?"

"The railway crosses half the region before turning north. It’s still much faster than staying on the road."

Lucien ate quietly beside her. "The direct routes are faster, but they’re mostly freight and military transport. They won’t put us on one."

Adrien nodded. Every hour in Sylvamir seemed to turn up another piece of infrastructure Valleroy simply did not have.

After dinner Lucien stood first. "I need to check something with the steward before tomorrow." He looked toward Adrien. "Come with me. You still need a travel pass for the rail line."

Adrien pushed his chair back. "Alright."

Cordelia had already arranged passes for Amelia and Lucien through their Sylvamir records, though Adrien’s status as a foreign noble meant extra registration. The two of them left the dining room together, and the door closed behind them.

Cordelia waited until the sound of their steps faded, then turned fully toward Amelia. "So."

Amelia recognised the tone at once. "No."

"I haven’t even asked yet."

"You didn’t have to. I know that face."

Cordelia leaned back in her chair and glanced at the door Adrien had walked through. "Who is he, exactly?"

"I already told you. Adrien Clairmont."

"That’s a name. I asked who he is."

Amelia let out a quiet breath. She had known this was coming from the moment Cordelia appeared in the transport district, and Cordelia kept watching her without blinking.

"He’s very handsome, by the way."

Amelia looked away. "Yes."

"And you travelled all the way here with him."

"Lucien came too."

"Lucien doesn’t count."

Amelia gave her a flat look, though Cordelia kept going before she could use it. "Has something happened between you two?"

Amelia stayed quiet just long enough to answer without saying anything, and Cordelia’s eyebrows climbed. "Something has."

"Cordelia."

"Did you kiss him?"

Amelia hesitated. "Yes."

Cordelia leaned forward. "Once?"

Amelia looked at the table. "No."

That changed Cordelia’s expression entirely. "Amelia."

"Lower your voice."

"I’m speaking normally."

"You’re not."

Cordelia ignored it. "How far has this gone?"

Amelia’s cheeks had already turned red. "I don’t know."

Cordelia stared at her. "You don’t know."

"Nobody has said anything out loud. He never asked me, I never asked him, and since it started there’s been a war, a duel and two Great Houses falling apart. It hasn’t exactly come up."

"So you’ve kissed him more than once and neither of you has said a single word about what that makes you."

"That’s what I’m telling you."

Cordelia studied her face. "When did all this start?"

Amelia hesitated again. "There was a night."

Cordelia understood immediately, and her eyes widened before she pulled the reaction back under control. "A night."

Amelia covered part of her face with one hand. "I knew this conversation was coming."

Cordelia lowered her voice this time. "Did you sleep together?"

Amelia looked directly at her. "I’m not explaining everything that happened."

Cordelia held her gaze for several seconds before leaning back. "That answers it." Then she tilted her head. "So. Together together, or not?"

"I told you I don’t know."

"You want to be."

Amelia said nothing, which Cordelia took as the whole answer.

Amelia sighed without any real irritation behind it. She had expected Cordelia to work it out eventually, since they had known each other for years and hiding this from her was hopeless once Adrien was standing in the same room.

Cordelia glanced toward the door again. "Does he treat you well?"

The question came out different from the others, and Amelia answered at once. "Yes."

Cordelia nodded once, and that seemed to matter to her more than everything she had asked before. "Fine. Then I’ll stop interrogating you. For a minute."

Amelia relaxed slightly, and it lasted about four seconds.

"Have you told your parents?"

Amelia froze, and Cordelia caught it. "You haven’t."

"There’s nothing to tell them yet."

"They’re in the capital, and you’re bringing him there."

"I know."

Cordelia folded her hands together. "Then you’d better decide what he is to you before your mother decides for you."

Amelia’s eyes moved toward the closed door. She had no answer ready for that either.

Somewhere else in the mansion, Adrien stopped walking beside Lucien as a chill ran down his spine. He frowned and glanced over his shoulder at the empty corridor.

Lucien noticed. "Something wrong?"

Adrien stayed still a second longer before carrying on down the hallway. "I don’t know."

For some reason he had the distinct feeling that something troublesome had just been decided without him.