The manor was quieter than Aegis remembered.
Maybe it was because half the staff were still on edge after the wedding attack, or maybe it was because Evelyn had given everyone strict instructions to "maintain a low profile" while the political situation stabilized.
Either way, when Aegis walked through the front door, the only people waiting for her were the ones she'd asked to be there.
Evelyn was at the dining table with a stack of papers. Rosalie was next to her. Scarlett and Kanna were by the window, Scarlett leaning against the wall with her arms crossed and Kanna standing straight with her hands behind her back. The Summerfang twins were sprawled on the couch, Kai'Lin picking at her nails and Mei'Lin reading a book with her feet up on the armrest.
"Everyone's here," Aegis said, shutting the door behind her. "Good."
She grabbed a pastry from the tray on the table, something flaky and filled with cream, and bit into it while she walked to the head of the table.
