The following evening, the dining room was set for two, quiet save for the soft clink of cutlery and the low hum of conversation. Lucas sat comfortably, half-leaning into his chair, a glass of wine balanced between his fingers. Trevor was opposite, his posture precise, though his violet eyes never drifted far from him.
"We'll need to decide the order," Trevor said, unfolding the agenda like it was another battlefield map. "Your official presentation comes last, but before that, the visits. The Orsinis will expect you first; they financed the hospital's capital wing. Then the Fritz estate, given Elena's reach at court. If we ignore her, she'll make noise."
Lucas swirled his wine, his mouth curving in faint mischief. "So a week of smiling, shaking hands, and pretending not to be bored out of my mind. Lovely."
