Solenne's cheeks flushed faintly.
She pressed her lips together and mumbled a quiet agreement.
A weight lifted off Brando's shoulders. He spoke in a warm, gentle tone, "Today we're heading to the royal castle to meet the King and Queen. My parents are really easygoing, so don't stress over it, okay? You've got nothing to worry about."
Solenne's hand, which was wrapped around her silver fork, froze for a split second. She answered in a small, soft voice, "I understand."
The rest of the meal passed in near silence. The only sounds were the faint clink of cutlery against porcelain as the two sat across from each other, not exchanging a single word the entire time.
Brando sighed quietly to himself. Back when they'd had afternoon tea or full dinners together in his old castle estate, Solen
