Serena took the rest of her tea in thoughtful sips and watched the interaction between Clara and Darius silently. The woman absentmindedly ran her tongue across the rim of the cup, a little habit of hers whenever she drank out of a cup.
"Someone special?" Clara echoed.
Darius nodded and held out his empty cup for Clara to take. Serena’s eyes narrowed slightly, her curiosity piqued. Who could he mean? The only name that came to mind was Elder Evelyn. She had caught him calling the older woman Nana more than once, only to fumble with an awkward correction. It was always a funny sight, watching such a composed man scramble for composure. Evelyn must be the closest thing he had to family, at least in that age bracket.
"Yes, but they will not be here for a while, but you will serve them your tea," Darius continued.
Serena watched Clara’s expression, it was not one of joy. It was more like she was thinking over Darius’ words.
They will not be here for a while.
The gears in Serena’s head spun before she put two and two together. Darius was referring to Riven, the Dawnbreak delegate. A small smile crept on her lips, it would be a way to expose Clara to the outside world. She wondered if the girl had any friends.
But she had to be true to Darius’ words, Clara was smart and Serena would not risk upsetting her or making her feel inferior with those sorts of questions. Her curiosity could wait.
"Oh, I can do that," Clara replied, lifting her gaze. "It’s just that I used up the last of my shavings from my last stick."
Serena sat upright, brows knitting together. "You used the last one? Clara, you should have kept that for yourself."
Clara shook her head immediately, her black hair brushing against her cheeks. "No, it was for you. You visited today, and you are important. So I made the good tea."
Serena felt her heart squeeze at the girl’s words. She looked down at the shared cup still warm in her hand. "Clara... You are important too, just like me."
Serena noticed the way she squeezed the cup tighter to herself, she looked at the floor and then at Serena. To the woman’s astonishment, the young girl had a smile on her face.
"I wish," Clara said.
"You were so important to me that I decided to visit right after I got your letter," Serena assured.
She set her cup on the floor and pulled Clara closer to her, she uncurled the girl’s fingers from the teacup and set it down. "Always know you are important," she whispered.
Serena pulled the girl closer and wrapped her arms around her. She rubbed her back in slow circles as a soothing motion.
Darius watched them both, expression unreadable. Then, he stood and walked toward the window, pushing aside the thin curtain to glance out. The light was fading. Thornridge, bathed in gold and gray, and a bit of green from the numerous trees around the small town.
He glanced back and saw Serena now whispering something he could not quite make out. He hoped that whatever words Serena had said to the girl would cheer her up. For her to make that tea for that ’special someone’, she would have to come live in the castle.
Darius did not have the heart to leave that sort of good deed half-baked. Once the tea was made, what would be next? Would she be sent back to this lonely house at the verge of collapsing? But she would not be cared for adequately in the castle.
He rubbed the back of his neck and sighed, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. Between the sea and a hard place indeed.
A thought popped into his head and he perked up. There was this chef that did not live in the castle, and he had heard from Livia that she had been trying for a child for so long that she had given up.
The man hummed, he would have to speak to the woman first. Adoption was not a particularly easy process, but if both parties were open to it, then it became more simple.
Another mental note was made and Darius would have to ask Clara some other time if she would want to leave Thornridge. If she wanted, then it would be wonderful.
Darius turned to the window again and observed the sun, they would have to take their leave soon. He glanced at the pair and stepped out of the house.
Serena watched as the door opened and shut and Clara and she were left alone. The girl pulled away from her embrace and glanced at the door. "Where is he going?"
"To his horse," Serena answered without pause, though she wasn’t entirely sure. Perhaps the closeness between her and Clara had unsettled him. Perhaps not. Either way, the answer would suffice.
Clara nodded and accepted the answer. "I am sorry, I thought you two were getting married."
Serena exhaled slowly. "You know I told you, we were not getting married."
With Clara, she had barely put on an exaggerated Eastern accent, she felt comfortable in the girl’s presence. While her accent sounded distinct in its own right, Serena decided to not act in Clara’s presence.
"Alright, do you want to get married?"
Serena was stunned for a moment, such a thought had not crossed her mind in so many years. After Cullen died, a thought like that would have struck her as a nefarious spirit plaguing her mind. Now in Ironshade, she had not given such a notion thought.
"I am not sure," Serena answered.
She looked at the pictures hanging on the wall and then back at Clara. "Maybe, maybe not."
"I am so glad you came today and I served you tea as I promised," Clara said as a matter-of-fact.
Serena chuckled and she brushed the girl’s hair, the sound of birds was heard outside, it was getting late. Left to her, Serena would have spent the night with Clara.
"I will write and I will visit again. Today was just for me to know where you live," Serena began. "You are so beautiful, Clara, and I loved your tea."
The two conversed for a bit, it was mostly Clara asking questions about Crimsonclaw and Serena giving her dodgy half-truths.
The two turned to the door when it groaned, Darius was back. And in his hand was a massive bag.