Delilah had shifted her expression, fearing she might create an even more problematic atmosphere. She was now part of an important gathering and, undoubtedly, had to expend all her energy to avoid appearing so disillusioned. Fortunately, the Duke maintained a pleasant conversation around the table where dinner was being held.
The nobles had much to discuss outside of bureaucratic matters. They seemed quite close to one another, and that relaxed environment kept Andrea distracted long enough to wait patiently for the meeting's end and speak a bit more with the girl. However, just as he believed he had reached that moment, a maid hurried through the staff, requesting the Duke's authorization to deliver an unexpected report.
When she was permitted to approach, the powerful noble was unable to hear all her words. A voice forestalled them.
—Andrea!
The attention of the entire dining room turned toward the entrance. Delilah's chest experienced something equivalent to being pierced by a bronze blade as her eyes reflected Cain's silhouette. The Count's son entered the hall accompanied by the sweet lady considered the light of House Billeter.
Delilah forced herself to maintain a respectful expression.
—I apologize for interrupting your dinner.
Cain's voice projected a sophisticated image as he addressed the Duke with great respect. He took care not to trouble Andrea and avoided looking at him directly, as if that were a show of consideration. But in reality, he was following his own desires. He was deliberately ignoring him.
The youngest Bathory then recalled his brother's words regarding the trip that young woman had taken with one of the candidates of House Zehren. A striking matter. After all, Eilith was a woman of marriageable age, and everyone knew the Duke's intentions to betroth her directly into royalty.
—Delilah, the Bathory's treasured young lady… we meet again. What a great coincidence!
Eilith's voice was sweet, and her movements, elegant. Delilah did not expect to receive any greeting. She hadn't even had time to mentally prepare for this encounter, making it impossible for her to respond with the respect she would have wished to show.
Cain was also restraining himself. His fingers clenched involuntarily, suppressing in that gesture the unbearable impulse to go to her.
—Although Andrea and I are great friends —Eilith continued naturally—, neither my grandfather nor I can boast of being close to Neil. And you are the girl who regularly dines with him… I must admit I feel a bit envious.
—Eilith, we are in the middle of dinner.
The Duke smiled at his granddaughter, feigning a reprimand for bursting in that way. Even so, there were no words sufficient to express his discomfort. Eilith smiled openly and walked toward her grandfather to embrace him affectionately. The Duke was easily moved. During his granddaughter's absence, he had felt displaced… and even uneasy.
—I hope we can all dine together.
The young woman's clear interest was on the verge of becoming an order directed at the hall's servers. But Andrea rose from his seat. He wiped his hands with a silk handkerchief before speaking.
—I must meet with my brother. And I would like to personally take Delilah home. I cannot delay any longer.
The Duke seemed to experience a certain heaviness upon hearing the apology.
—But… there are many things I want to tell you about Yuor.
Eilith spoke with a slight reproach, clearly disappointed. Only then did the Duke rest his palm on the girl's shoulder, making her desist from her insinuations.
—Inconveniencing a Bathory is not something any noble wishes to experience.
Eilith perfectly understood the importance of that guest. Although her relationship with Andrea was rooted in childhood, she had to remember that social positions had changed many years ago. Even so, the simple idea of spending more time with him—with whom she shared an age and pleasant memories—filled her with innocent hope.
—If taking Delilah is inconvenient… I can handle that.
Cain intervened spontaneously. The girl never expected him to address her. He looked at her with such intensity that it was impossible for her to look away or pretend she hadn't heard. Andrea immediately understood his intentions. Both shared the same destination that night.
But the offer was distasteful to him.
The Duke, for his part, had always considered Cain an upright young man. The proposal seemed wonderful to him, and he hoped, for an instant, that Andrea would agree to stay a bit longer. Naturally, Delilah's wishes were not considered. She would have wanted to refuse. The simple thought that Cain's kindness reached such extremes only to please Eilith opened a painful void in her chest.
Andrea understood he could not win more time for himself and Delilah. Even so, he did not want to pressure her. He looked down at the dress she was wearing. Then, he smiled slightly to himself. He took off his dark coat and placed it over the girl's shoulders, covering her from her back to her feet.
A gesture of resignation.
Even the Duke appeared surprised. While he would never question the Bathory's company, that gesture seemed like excessive courting toward the young woman whom the Barons of Astraea had adopted… only to discard her later.
Cain had also finished saying his goodbyes. He made his way toward the exit, forcing Andrea to step back slightly. He wanted Delilah to hurry. His low tolerance had much to do with the black dress she was wearing. Although it was more modest than the previous one that family had given her, it was just as unbearable to him.
He couldn't help but feel threatened by Andrea's presence. And that was despite entering the dining room knowing perfectly well they would find themselves face to face. When he arrived at the Billeter mansion after the long journey, he was informed that Andrea Bathory was visiting. At that precise moment, he had wanted to turn around.
But when Eilith heard the news, she took Cain's arm and dragged him enthusiastically toward the dining room. Cain was tired. Even before reaching the mansion, Eilith had told him it wasn't necessary to accompany her to the entrance. But he insisted. The proper thing was to present himself before the Duke.
Now… he was beginning to deeply regret having made that decision.
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