Amelia had started to feel somewhat awkward around Dario ever since that night. Whenever they were together she was uncomfortably aware of her every action to not make a fool out of herself. Moreover she'd started sneaking glances of him when she thought he wasn't looking as if her eyes were constantly being drawn to him.
She knew the reason for this very well even though she had wanted to deny her feelings at first. She'd previously thought that such foolishness had died along with her childhood.
Amelia initially assumed, or rather hoped, that the childish emotions were only a temporary lapse of judgement and that they would soon disappear just as quickly as she'd become aware of them. Judging by the way things were going though, the outcome seemed to be the opposite.
Along with her growing affection for Dario was an increasing fear of having her feelings be discovered. Having come to know him it was hard to imagine that his kindness would cease over such a petty matter but she didn't dare to completely rule out the possibility that his demeanour would turn cold if he learned the truth. If not immeadiatly then over time as a symptom of accumulated discomfort.
Therefore Amelia tried her hardest to behave normally during their dinners. To fulfill her part of a fake mistress and to not lose her usefulness to him. She was painstakingly mindful to not overstep the inherent boundaries of their mutually beneficial relationship and to not linger nor seek for more than merely his friendship.
As long as their time together wasn't drawn to long it wasn't difficult. This changed however when he came to escort her to the on the night of her birthday.
She was surprised to find that he'd waited for her in the corridor outside her chamber while she'd been getting ready for the celebration.
In the faint light from the gaslamps in the corridor his figure resembled a painting were he stood leaned against the wall.
Although his attire wasn't elaborate as it had been for the banquet Amelia found that modesty suited him even more. It was undeniable that the simple clothing and haphazardly combed back hair only enhanced his elegance.
His greeting served as fuel on the fire. As he bowed his head and brought her hand towards his lips like he had before the banquet, he suddenly paused and met her eyes from beneath his lashes.
"Happy birthday Amelia."
She was thankful for the dim lighting when she felt her cheeks flush.
The celebration was held in a wing of the estate opposite that of her chambers. It was an area that she didn't remember visiting during her initial tour of the estate so she simply followed Dario absentmindidly, trying to not make her tenseness obvious while engaging in their usual smalltalk.
As they advanced closer lighthearted chatter started to fill the corridor through a pair of large doors at the end of it.
"Since there are too many employees of the estate it wasn't possible to invite them all, however I'm sure that you will not miss anyone who you've previously met" Dario explained and paused his steps in front of the door.
"I think that it's best to give you your gift before we go in, if that's alright" he asked, referring to the loud clatter behind the doors.
Amelia nodded. She was suprised and a bit burdened by the notion that she would recieve even more from Dario when she considered the celebration alone to be far more than enough.
He didn't seem to notice her hesitation however and retrieved a silk box from his inner pocket.
"It probably not as extravagant as the previous one but I hope you still like it" he explained as he layed the box in her palms. Though it had looked small in his hands the box turned out to be deceitfully large when held in her own.
When Amelia opened the lid her eyes were first drawn to a pendant in the center of the box. A radiant amber gemstone shifting in colors of rich yellows and browns with a gold frame attaching it to a thin chain. Above the necklace was a matching pair of understated gold earrings with smaller stones of amber on their ends. Although the set appeared simple on first glance the overall impression was that of a subtle elegance that Amelia found herself resonating with.
'The stones are the same color as my eyes' she thought, finding it difficult to not delude herself when Dario seemed to have put such thought into the gift.
"They're truly beautiful... Thank you, really" she grinned, hoping that the simple words would properly relay her sincerity.
"Can I wear them right away?"
"Sure, want some help to put them on?"
Amelia hummed and swept her hair over one shoulder to expose her neck.
"I'm happy you seem to like it. Believe it or not but I'm not very confident in picking out jewlery" Dario joked as he struggled with closing the small clasp.
His warm breath at the back of her neck as well as the occational grace by his fingertips sent a warm shiver across her chest.
"You don't say" Amelia teased. "I would never have guessed."