𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐒

𝐅𝐈𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍 - 𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐊

✧˚ ༘ ⋆｡˚ 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐒 ˚｡⋆ ༘˚✧
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𝐱𝐯. 

"𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 time did the invitation specify?" inquired Athena, her voice carrying a note of impatience. They were all gathered at the breakfast table, though her thoughts were elsewhere. She had stolen Benedict away the previous evening, and sleep had been a distant thought. They had spent the better part of an hour conversing about the most trivial things, yet it had delighted her. So much so, in fact, that time and sleep had entirely slipped her mind. Benedict had bid her farewell with a swift, secretive kiss and departed unnoticed.

Her mother, looking up from her plate, tilted her head in disapproval. "At times, Athena, I do believe you forget every instruction I give you."

Athena sighed, rolling her eyes in frustration. She had no patience for this reprimand. "Could you not simply tell me, Mother, without making a spectacle of it?"

"Someone's in quite the mood," her mother remarked, delicately patting her lips with a napkin. "Best conceal that attitude before Lord Beaumont arrives. He's coming to escort you."

Athena frowned. "Since when?"

Her mother raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback. "Since he became your future husband, of course. You are expected to attend every gathering together."

Athena glanced down at her now cold eggs and sighed. "But he isn't my fiancé yet, is he?"

"What is the matter with you, young lady? This is most unlike you. Do you not desire a husband, children, and a household of your own?" her mother pressed, her tone sharp with concern.

Athena nodded quickly, taking a sip of water in an attempt to collect herself. "Of course, it's all I've ever wanted," she muttered under her breath, though the words felt hollow, more rehearsed than sincere.

Her brother caught her gaze, narrowing his eyes as he studied her expression. He mouthed silently, "What is going on?"

Athena shook her head subtly and mouthed back, "Nothing." But the unease in her eyes told him there was more she wasn't saying.

He sighed, stifling a quiet giggle, and poured himself another cup of black tea, adding two generous spoonfuls of sugar. Archibald had always been a sucker for anything sweet.