At the Eastern edge of Veston, far from the busy heart of the city. A sprawling mansion sat quietly. The building itself stretched wide and calm. Long windows reflected the sky, and trimmed gardens lay like they had never known disorder.
Inside the mansion. The dining room was large and majestic. A long table occupied the center, polished until it reflected the soft glow of the chandelier above. Everything had its place. Seated at the table were four people.
Mr Vale sat at the head, relaxed in posture, his sleeves rolled up to his elbow. He was a middle-aged man with a striking and calm face despite his age. Beside him at the right sat Mrs Vale.
She was 'elegance without effort'. Her back was straight and her movements were slow. She wore simple jewelry, nothing loud, but everything about her spoke of control and taste. Her hair was neatly styled and her expression was composed. She did not need to raise her voice to be heard.
Adrian sat beside her. He looked much like he had in the meeting room. Quiet. Cold. Distant. His posture was perfect, his expression unchanged, eyes lowered toward his plate but clearly not focused on it.
Relanie sat across from him, at Mr Vale's left. Her hair was now tied back loosely, a few strands escaping near her face. She picked at her food absentmindedly, pushing it around more than eating it.
Mrs Vale noticed and sighed.
"Relanie," she said calmly, lifting her gaze. "Eat properly. You've barely touched your meal."
Relanie paused, then smiled faintly. "I'm eating, Mother."
Mrs Vale's eyes flicked to the untouched portion. "You're rearranging it."
Mr Vale chuckled, lifting his glass slightly. "Didn't you know? That's how celebrities eat now. Maybe she's maintaining her figure."
Relanie rolled her eyes, still smiling. "It's not that."
"Oh?" Mr Vale leaned back. "Then what is it?"
"I ate earlier," she replied easily. "And I had rehearsals all morning. Food just doesn't feel important right now."
Mrs Vale gave her a look that said she was not convinced, but she let it go.
"You work too much," she said instead. "Talent still needs care."
Relanie nodded, finally taking a proper bite. "I know."
Throughout it all, Adrian said nothing.
He ate quietly. His movements were neat and controlled. If the conversation bored him, it did not show. If it interested him, it did not show either.
Then Mr Vale placed his cutlery down.
"So," he said, glancing briefly at Adrian, "The meeting today. How did it go with the sponsor?"
Relanie looked up first.
Adrian remained quiet. For a moment, he did not respond. He continued eating, calm and unhurried, as if the question had not been directed at him. Mr Vale raised an eyebrow but waited. Mrs Vale did not speak either. She simply watched her son.
After a while, Adrian opened his mouth.
"It went well," he said. Nothing more followed.
Mr Vale tilted his head slightly. "That's all?"
Adrian did not look up. "That's all."
Mrs Vale's expression had softened immediately at the mention of the sponsor.
"That's good," she said. "I was curious about her."
She turned toward Adrian. "What did you think of the lady?"
Adrian finally leaned back in his chair. He shrugged casually, almost careless.
"Not bad.", he said.
The table went quiet. Mr Vale blinked once. Relanie paused mid-bite. Even the maids standing at the side seemed to still. That was not the answer they had expected.
Mrs Vale studied him carefully. "Not bad?" she repeated.
Adrian gave a slight nod, as if the matter did not deserve more words.
Relanie exchanged a look with Mr Vale, then smiled faintly. "That's rare praise coming from him."
Mrs Vale's lips curved upward. "She deserves it," she said. "Singing her own song at Starhunt. Do you know how unusual that is?"
Mr Vale nodded. "And risky."
"But she sang it well," Mrs Vale continued. "There was something unique about her voice."
Relanie poked the food in front of her with her fork. "I met her today at Voice."
Mrs Vale looked at her. "Did you?"
"Yes," Relanie replied. "She's quiet, but composed. Polite too. I like her."
Adrian said nothing. But his fingers tapped once against the table, slow and thoughtful, before going still again.
Eventually, Mrs Vale placed her napkin gently on the table and cleared her throat. She looked from Relanie to Adrian. Then she spoke.
"It has been some time since the two of you last spoke about… anything personal." she said calmly.
Relanie paused, then lifted her gaze to meet Adrian's. Adrian did not react. He still sat calmly as if the topic didn't involve him.
"I had hoped that living under the same roof would soften things. But it seems I was wrong" Mrs Vale said with a tired sigh.
Mr Vale glanced between them."You can't rush these things. Young people need space." He said.
"Space is useful. But distance is not." Mrs Vale replied, smiling faintly.
Relanie folded her hands neatly on her lap, trying her best to stay calm and casual.
"We're fine, Mom." She said.
"You say that, but I don't think you both are." Mrs Vale said turning to her. She then shifted slightly and looked at Adrian, who sat beside her.
"And you?" she asked softly, "Don't you have anything to say at all."
Adrian shifted his eyes elsewhere. Not much affected by the awkwardness in the air. Mrs Vale waited patiently but he did not speak. She sighed, quietly.
"You have been betrothed for years," she said. "No engagement yet, yes. But everyone knows. People talk. People expect things."
"The family expects too." Mr Vale said, nodding. He didn't have much to say about conversations like this.
Relanie glanced at Adrian. He was still sitting calmly, as if unconcerned. "I understand what this is," she said calmly. "I always have."
"And what is it?", Mrs Vale asked studying her face.
"A responsibility." She answered smiling faintly.
Mrs Vale's brows furrowed slightly. "That is not all it should be."
Relanie did not argue. She simply said, "It's enough."
Mrs Vale turned to Adrian again. Annoyed at his indifference at everything on ground. "Is it enough for you?" she asked him sternly.
Adrian seemed to think for a moment. Then he spoke, his voice low. "It is what it is."
Relanie let out a soft chuckle while Mr Vale frowned.
"That's not an answer.", he said but Adrian didn't respond.
Mrs Vale straightened up. "Adrian," she said, "I will ask you directly."He turned his head slightly toward her. "Do you object to this betrothal?"
"No.", he answered casually.
Relanie's fingers relaxed slightly against the table.
Mrs Vale nodded once. "And do you support it?", she asked again.
"I will honor it.", Adrian said without any emotion, after a brief pause.
Mr Vale leaned back in his chair smiling. "You speak like you're signing a document."
Adrian did not deny it. Relanie smiled gently, though something tired lingered behind it. "That's how he's always been," she said.
Mrs Vale looked at her closely. "And how does that make you feel?"
Relanie hesitated for a second. Then she answered honestly . "It's not unpleasant," she said giggling. "It's kinda funny. And satisfying too."
Mrs Vale's gaze softened. "You don't deserve this. You deserve warmth."
"I didn't come here expecting that.", Relanie said meeting her gaze. The room fell silent again.
Mrs Vale clasped her hands together tiredly. "I did not raise my son to live without feeling," she said. "And I did not accept you into this family to be treated like a contract."
"But I chose this too." Relanie spoke gently.
Mrs Vale looked surprised. "You did?" She asked while Relanie nodded.
"Why?" Mr Vale asked, blinking.
Relanie smiled faintly. "Because certainty is rare and I value stability."
Mrs Vale turned to Adrian. "And you?"
"I value order." He answered quietly.
Relanie gave a small laugh. "There it is."
Mrs Vale shook her head. "You two sound like business partners.", she said half amused, half troubled.
"Many marriages are." Relanie replied softly.
Mrs Vale was silent for a long moment. Then she spoke up again. "There will be no pressure," she said. "But, I will not ignore what I see. This distance cannot last forever."
Adrian gave one small nod. "I know." He said.
Relanie looked at him from across the table. Their eyes met for a brief moment. There was no affection there but there was understanding.
Dinner resumed after that.
"Eat, the food is getting cold ", Mrs Vale urged staring at Relanie softly...