Alexander watched closely as Arno and Céline fawned over their granddaughter, his eyes slightly widening as Arno patted her head. "Ah, I wish you could visit me more my little angel, the estate has been so lonely without you."
Louise faintly blushed as she averted her gaze. "I'm not a child." She muttered under her breath, though her voice lost its edge.
"Oh hush," Céline said with a giggle, "you're a child for as long as we desire."
Alexander was in disbelief.
Was this the same Louise, the same girl who ignored the world and antagonized him at every opportunity?
He thought her heart was as cold as ice, yet here she was, practically glowing redder than a cherry.
As Alexander stood in stunned silence, he noticed Louise glancing over at him. There was a look of shame and vulnerability in her eyes.
She then bit her bottom lip and looked away, her embarrassment evident.
Arno and Céline watched this, following her face towards the door, where Alexander and now André stood.
With a raised eyebrow, Arno spoke. "Are you Alexander?" He asked curiously, his gaze shifting between his son and Alexander.
"Yes sir," Alexander said with a slight bow, unsure of how to respond.
Arno blinked curiously, before looking at his son with an expectant expression.
André chuckled as he ruffled Alexander's hair, "What's with that look Father?" He asked, his tone lively, "Did I do something wrong?"
Arno narrowed his eyes as he pulled his lips back. "How dense can you be, boy?"
"Oh!" André said with a tone of realization. "Sorry Father, Alexander, it slipped my mind." André looked to Alexander with an apologetic smile as he placed a hand on his back.
"These are my parents, Arno and Céline du Nova." André gestured towards the older couple. "Father, mother, this is the fabled Alexander."
Alexander smiled awkwardly as he met Arno and Céline's weighted gazes.
Arno gave a respectful nod to Alexander as he turned his attention towards Béatrice, who quietly sat with an impatient look. "Béatrice, I know you said you've taken in a child, but it's still quite surprising to see."
Béatrice rolled her eyes as she forced an irritated smile. "Is it?" She asked, "I'm not cold-hearted."
Both Alexander and André let out strange coughs, earning a glare from Béatrice.
Arno let out a chuckle as he pulled on Louise's long ears, "You're about as warm as a cool winter's night." He joked, "But, I suppose there's a way to see if your claim has merit."
"Alexander, has Béatrice treated you well?" Arno asked, turning his attention towards him, his expression curious.
Alexander tensed on the spot at the sudden but simple question. He quickly glanced at Béatrice, who silently stared at him with a killer gaze.
"Well…" Alexander began, looking around the well-decorated dining hall.
Part of him wanted to delve into everything Béatrice had done to him.
The kidnapping, forcing him to relinquish his title, the harsh training and treatment, the mysterious hostile force she claimed existed, which Alexander still had no clue about…
But on the other hand, Alexander knew Béatrice would likely end him if he said anything.
Especially in front of her parents-in-law, who Béatrice seemed to respect for some reason.
"…she certainly has been a part of my life," Alexander said with a forced smile.
Arno chuckled as Céline smiled warmly, "Ah, that's good to hear." Arno replied, giving Alexander a knowing look of sympathy.
If only you knew Arno, your daughter-in-law is a monster…
"Why don't you come to sit with us, dear?" Céline asked softly, gesturing towards the seat beside her. "Make yourself comfortable."
Alexander swallowed as he stepped towards Céline, "okay."
While Alexander walked, Arno turned his attention towards André, who followed behind him. "Where are you going?" He asked sternly, "Béatrice is on this side of the table."
André froze mid-step, flashing a wry smile as he gestured towards Céline. "I was just…"
Arno narrowed his eyes, "do you need to be reminded of your obligations?" He asked challengingly, "Sit beside your fiancée."
André looked conflicted as he glanced over at Béatrice, who stared back at him coldly. "But she doesn't…" André began to speak but cut himself short.
He sighed in resignation, running a hand through his long hair. "Fine." He muttered as he moved to sit next to Béatrice, his tone somewhat reluctant.
Béatrice barely reacted, instead focusing her attention on the plate before her, adjusting the sandwich that sat upon it.
Alexander meanwhile sat beside Céline, who quickly grabbed his hand and moved to interlock fingers. As Alexander met her gaze she smiled kindly at him, her expression of genuine happiness.
She reminds me of Princess Elizabeth.
"Are you hungry darling?" She asked softly, tightening her grip on his hand, "There's plenty of food if you are."
Her voice was soothing to the ears, like silk.
"No Ma'am," Alexander replied, happy to find a small island of kindness in the tense atmosphere. "But thanks for asking."
Céline giggled softly. "Oh I like your manners, Alexander, " she said with a smile, "very respectful."
"Thank you, ma'am." He replied.
While the two exchanged plenaries Arno turned his attention toward Béatrice and André, who silently sat together. "Are you not happy to see André?" Arno asked curiously. "It was I who sent him to retrieve you."
Béatrice let out a long sigh as she rested her chin on the back of her hands. "I've told you before, Father, André has to do more than just replace his brother, I didn't come here to be whisked away, I have business to attend."
Arno let out a soft sigh as he wrapped an arm around Louise. "And tell me Béatrice, what exactly is this important business?"
"I need the children to have their measurements taken so that the tailors can work on their academy uniforms." She began, "I also need to get the children familiar with the capital, given that they'll spend the next ten years here."
Arno nodded, "it's quite late to explore the city, but I can have my tailors look into creating those uniforms after lunch."
"I'd prefer to see them as soon as possible," Béatrice replied dryly.
Arno smirked, "Hmm, you know I believe Céline's personal tailors have left for the week, but there is a shop close by, in the service district." He then leaned forward, "They're closed now, but perhaps you and André could visit in the morning?"
Béatrice frowned deeply, "You sent them away purposefully, didn't you?"
Arno smiled innocently, "whatever do you mean?" He asked curiously, obviously feigning ignorance as his smile grew.
Béatrice turned her attention to André, who looked at her with a cautious smile. "I wouldn't mind it, taking a beautiful woman like you out with my niece and her ward."
"Uncle!" Louise exclaimed with a frown, she displayed vulnerability showing a rare glimpse of her humanity. "He's nothing to me." She continued, her voice barely audible.
Alexander watched the scene unfold in utter confusion. "Shouldn't she call him father?" He whispered to himself, thinking aloud.
Céline softly laughed as she leaned closer to Alexander. "I thought the same." She whispered, "It's so confusing, isn't it?"
Alexander looked to Céline with wide eyes.
This is your family!
Béatrice let out a defeated sigh, "fine," she replied, her tone low. "But don't expect anything, I want to have everything done ahead of time."
André chuckled. "Come on," he teased, "how long does it take to sew a jacket and skirt?"
Béatrice glared at André, her expression unamused.
"Sorry," André replied, his smile falling.
The dining hall fell into a tense silence, causing Alexander to shift uncomfortably as he tightened his grip on Céline's hand. Despite his unfamiliarity with the woman, he couldn't deny he felt comfortable with her.
Still, this family seemed to have a strong connection with undercurrent tensions.
Even in the smallest of interactions.
"Well." Arno's voice cut through the air, snapping Alexander out of his thoughts. "I've had enough conversation for one day."