"I see, thank you," Serena said slowly.
She wished Charlotte would look at her once and return to her side instead of chattering away with the second Dawnbreak wolf. She glanced to see Riven looking at her cleanly like she was the most interesting thing the garden had to offer.
"Is there something wrong with what I said?" Serena asked finally.
The man merely shook his head and then stroked his chin. "Forgive me, you just look awfully familiar."
Serena blinked rapidly and then forced a laugh and then sighed. "Oh I do get that a lot. I suppose my face would be common in Kaldora."
Riven stared at her blankly and then looked ahead, he barely gave a reaction to her statement and it unnerved her. She wondered if he had met any wolf from the East himself.
"I see," he said finally.
Serena’s fingers toyed with the edge of her sleeve, her gaze dipping briefly to the gravel beneath her feet. She did not trust Riven’s casual remark. That kind of statement– "You look familiar"—rarely meant nothing, especially not from a man who carried himself like a walking ledger of faces and information.
But she said nothing further. She held her tongue and offered only a mild, polite smile.
Before the silence could stretch uncomfortably long between them, Charlotte’s voice carried over, light and tinkling like bells in a summer fair.
"Well, if I have ever seen a man give an entire lesson on hedge shaping with that much fervour, I would have asked for a fee," she said, sauntering closer with Verec at her side.
Verec chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "My apologies, Lady Serena. I must confess, I do enjoy speaking on topics others may find... trivial."
"I find triviality endearing," Charlotte replied with a wink, "when it is so expertly explained."
Serena offered a nod, though her eyes drifted back to Riven. The man was once again composed, his gaze now set on the nearest flowering bush as though it held secrets. Still, she could feel it, his awareness of her hadn’t waned. It lingered like perfume in the air. He was watching, just less obviously.
The four of them strolled onward, though it was a meandering sort of walk. Charlotte led most of the conversation, her tones shifting from teasing to theatrical. Verec followed easily, caught somewhere between bemused and charmed. Riven remained quiet for the most part, interjecting only when asked directly.
Serena contributed when expected. A comment here. A question there. But her mind drifted too often, caught between the thought of Riven’s observation and the earlier words Charlotte had shared about this garden gathering. There had been no notice sent to her room. Nothing official from Livia. And yet Charlotte had known. Charlotte always knew somehow.
"Lady Serena?" Verec’s voice gently pulled her back.
"I beg your pardon?" she said with a slight lift of her chin.
"I was saying," Verec repeated, "that the rose varieties here are quite unlike the ones we see in Dawnbreak. You must be proud of such meticulous gardening."
She blinked. "I fear I have done none of it myself, but yes... Ironshade does have its charms."
"You say that like an outsider," Riven commented mildly.
Serena laughed softly and tilted her head. "I merely have a fresh perspective."
Before more could be said, another voice entered the fray.
"Now this is a sight for sore eyes," Darius said as he approached from the hedge path behind them, his steps easy and confident.
Serena turned, her chest tightening as it often did when he appeared unannounced. His red hair was caught half-back in a leather clasp, and he wore a long, dark tunic with silver threading at the cuffs. His eyes flicked over the four of them quickly, landing last on her.
"Forgive my delay," he continued with a small smile. "I had some matters to attend to. I see you have all made yourselves at home."
"Indeed," Riven replied. "Your gardens are quite lovely and your councillors charming."
Charlotte gave an exaggerated curtsey. "We do try."
Darius’s gaze lingered a moment longer on Serena, but he said nothing about it. Instead, he turned and motioned toward a shaded arch near the far end of the gardens, where a long table had been prepared with silver kettles, delicate porcelain cups, fruits, breads, and a large teapot steeping in its bronze stand.
"Shall we sit for tea?" he asked. "I thought it best we take our ease before more formal conversations resume tomorrow."
A general hum of agreement followed.
They moved together toward the table, Charlotte quickening her pace so she could plant herself at one end beside Verec. Riven moved to Darius’s left. Serena found herself across from the delegate, and to his left, the place Darius subtly indicated with a nod of his head.
As they sat, a servant poured out a pale herbal tea into their cups. The scent of honey and pine filled the air.
Serena curled her fingers around the warmth of her cup and listened as Darius and Riven began speaking in low, measured tones about the travel conditions of the northern roads, and how the border patrols had adjusted to the season’s unpredictability. Charlotte asked Verec what he thought of the local stonework on the castle towers. And all the while, Serena remained quiet, drinking in the scene around her.
It felt peaceful, deceptively so.
But Serena knew better than to be lulled by the lull. Every word exchanged at this table was measured. Even Verec’s casual laugh at Charlotte’s joke was likely a calculated choice. Still, she allowed herself a small sip of tea, the bitterness of it reminding her of home.
Darius eventually leaned slightly toward her and murmured, "You look like you are somewhere far away."
She looked at him from the corner of her eye. "Just enjoying the garden."
He smiled faintly. "Good. I had hate to think I planned this all for nothing." Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn novel-fire.ɴet
Across the table, Riven watched them both, quiet as ever.