[ON HOLD INDEFINITELY] Comfortable in the Chaos «Sebastian Sallow»

27. Just A Taste

When Thalia returned, we'd collectively decided to stay. I wasn't keen on leaving my sister yet. And I could tell Valeria was enjoying her time here in her aunts home.

Ominis was impartial to either choice.

Thalia had many elves living with her. All of them were treated much better than most house elves I'd known off. She mentioned when we had arrived she made sure they had proper clothing. In by giving them clothes they were technically free. But they loved working for her so much they willingly performed their duties in return for housing, food and some pay.

Over dinner thalia mentioned those who knew her, knew not to be critical of how she ran her home. She said house elves were to be treated like a wizard in her home. With respect. She truly loved them.

I still hadn't figured out how to approach her.

But after dinner, Anne and Ominis were escorted to their rooms for the night. I retreated to the library to begin reading one of the books Soloman had left behind.

After a moment I swear I could hear the sound of music.

A violin perhaps. Like it was being tuned.

I searched for the sound to find it was coming from outside. I looked out to see the garden illuminated in moonlight. With Valeria sitting with Thalia in the garden.

She held a violin in her hands and looked to be tuning it.

I had no idea she played.

They laughed with one another. And I watched as they talked for awhile.

Thalia gave Valeria a long hug before returning inside. They'd been speaking for half an hour when I noticed. But who knows how long they'd been out there.

I watched as Valeria toyed with the violin. She set it down after a moment and just sighed staring up at the sky.

I took a breath. " Better now than never..."

I exited the office and as I was making my way to the gardens. Thalia approached me.

" On your way to apologize for your outburst?" Thalia laughed.

I rolled my eyes.

" I don't know what happened. But if you approach her with confidence. I guarantee you , things will be fine." She explained. I nodded in understanding.

" Why are you being kind to me suddenly?" I asked after a moment.

" Seems I didn't know Soloman as well as I thought I did. I still don't condone your actions. But..." she took a breath. " Seems you were given no other choice. Whether we find a reason or not. Your sister was being harmed. But so were you it seems...And I apologize for that."

I nodded slowly.

" I do see why Valeria is so taken with you now though. You're just as noble as her. I know for a fact my sister wasn't raising her to be a confident strong woman. She was raising her to become a bride. Your home lives have always been controlled by someone else haven't they?" She frowned.

I shuddered at the thought of Valeria being married off to some twat. Likely one her father would have chosen.

She'd mention it a few times. She said she felt like she wasn't loved by her family. But was being groomed to follow their agenda and legacy.