With matters in Estelle partially settled, Vanitas returned home several days later. Yet upon his arrival, an unexpected guest awaited him.
"...Princess."
"You really stood me up."
It was none other than Irene Barielle Aetherion, someone he hadn't seen in over a month. The last time they had met was during the gambling competition, which he had abandoned halfway through without so much as a word.
From the corner of the room, Evan bowed respectfully. The look in his eyes said, 'My apologies. We couldn't send her away.'
Vanitas let out a sigh and met Irene's gaze evenly. "Can I help you?"
"No, you can't."
"...."
"Not when you're like this."
"Huh—"
Before he could react, Irene wrapped her arms around him, indifferent to the presence of the Astrea estate's servants.
"How have you been?" she whispered softly.
Vanitas froze at the sudden kinship, his hands twitching at his sides. But he didn't push her away. He didn't return the gesture either, yet Irene didn't seem to mind.
