For two weeks, Austin and Alina pretended everything was normal. Every morning, Austin sat four chairs away from Lord Ashby in the great hall and forced himself to eat, smiling at him.
"You seem well rested these days, Your Grace," Lord Ashby said one morning while buttering his bread. "Work seems to be less these days."
"The work is the same as ever, Lord Ashby," he replied calmly. "I've just learned to carry it better."
Ashby smiled in response.
"Still, it's good to see you looking so relaxed. Your father would have been proud."
Austin's hand tightened around his knife under the table. But his face remained calm.
"Thank you."
Alina, sitting beside Austin, watched the entire exchange. After his conversation with Austin, Ashby returned to his conversation with a young lord beside him, asking him about his mother's health. She noticed how everyone became relaxed talking to him. He had the talent for charming people.
