“Wonderful,” Rosette said lightly. “A vacation with homework.”
Garette’s eyes softened, barely. “You were never fond of easy lessons.”
“No. I was fond of ignoring them until they became disasters.”
“That too.”
Elara exhaled slowly.
For a moment, the three of them stood in the middle of the bedroom while assistants folded silk and sunlight cut across the floor.
Then Elara’s phone buzzed.
She looked down.
Her expression changed before she answered.
Rosette did not need to ask who it was.
Magnus.
Elara stepped away and took the call near the balcony doors.
“Yes,” she said softly. “She’s awake.”
Rosette turned toward the mirror.
Her reflection looked back at her: wet hair, robe, bare face, tired eyes, mouth set like she was already arguing with a future she had not met.
Garette remained by the threshold.
“You do not have to like him,” he said quietly.
Rosette’s eyes lifted to his in the mirror.
“Damon?”
“Anyone.”
She laughed softly. “That sounds close to treason in this house.”
“It is only treason if I put it in writing.”
“Noted.”
Garette’s gaze did not move from hers.
“But you do have to watch him.”
“Why?”
“Because men who are chosen for women before the women meet them often arrive with more plans than flowers.”
Behind them, Elara’s voice stayed low over the phone.
Rosette turned around. “You know something.”
“I know enough to dislike the timing.”
“That is still not an answer.”
“It is the only one I can give you right now.”
She hated that answer.
She hated it because she believed him.
Before she could press, Elara ended the call and turned back with a smile that looked deliberately placed.