The drive back to Blackwood Manor was unusually quiet.
Elara sat beside Sebastian, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the edge of the framed photograph from the charity event.
The little girl's drawing and the photograph rested safely on her lap.
She smiled faintly.
"I think this is my favorite picture."
Sebastian glanced at it before returning his attention to the road.
"You look happy."
"I was."
She turned to him.
"No one cared who I was today."
"They just treated me like... me."
Sebastian's expression softened.
"They saw the person I already knew."
Elara looked at him in surprise.
"You knew?"
"I knew you weren't what the tabloids claimed."
A warm silence settled between them.
---
Back at Blackwood Manor...
Mrs. Hayes welcomed them with a bright smile.
"How was the ev
