Chapter 61: Grandfather or Puppeteer

Basil frowned into the distance. He’d been sitting in the same position for at least an hour, thinking and letting out little frustrated sighs. It had been a full day since the confrontation in the ballroom. She knew that he went to talk to Adolph about Laurel again after that, but he hadn’t said what they’d discussed.

It was unnerving and only added to Delia’s current stress. The vial Eden had given her was burning against her skin, tucked safely in the bust of her gown. She hadn’t dared to leave it in her room where someone could find it and get suspicious.

“I’m having doubts,” Basil said softly. “About… my mother and father’s relationship.”

Delia slid closer, seizing upon the chance, “Why?”

“… a feeling,” Basil said, making Delia’s stomach jolt in fear. “Just… an instinct I guess.”

He sighed as Delia tried to calm her heart. Adolph had impeccable instincts. Was there a chance that Basil had inherited some of them and they were waking up now? Why now?

She thought of Eden’s cold