Chapter One-Sixty-Two: Ease

As opposed to an elegant parlour room, Rebecca escorts us outside to a greenhouse-like place that holds numerous colourful and bright plants that add to the bright aesthetic of the party, and despite being outside, the scent of pastries and tea hang deliciously in the air.

My gaze turns to the nearby pond, and it is so clear that I can see my reflection in it, but more than that, I can see the tiredness in Rebecca’s build.

I guess all the Clive relatives, regardless of association, had a tough time after Magnolia’s treason.

The deeper we walk into the space, the more the sound of laughter and chatter calls to us only; it is not as inviting as she had once presented during the mate ball.

“About Magnolia…”

I begin, but she turns so suddenly on her track that I wind up trailing my words.

“Oh, we are fine. Our relation is only from the maternal side.”

What the hell is that supposed to mean?

Does it matter from which side your cousins hail?

“Anyway, I saw today’s papers; how are you holdin