Chapter 7: First meeting
The way the crowd surrounded her left Adeline overwhelmed, she wanted to get away. She turned to look at her brother who seemed to be doing far better than her. He did have some experience after all.
Adeline excused herself and slipped away, she went further into the garden to get away from the crowd. There she met Benedict again. He still had tears in his eyes, he sat down hugging his knees. His nanny was nowhere around here, she was probably looking for him.
Adeline didn't know whether to leave or stay, she hesitated for a second and then decided to stay. Knowing what was about to happen and seeing him in distress made her feel sorry for him. She couldn't just leave him here!
She slowly walked up to him, his face was hidden, he didn't want anyone to see him like this. He couldn't hear her walking up to him in the middle of his sobs.
Only when she sat down next to him did he realise there was someone else there. He lifted his head and looked at the girl sitting next to him.
"Why are you crying?"
"I- I want to go home..."
Perhaps his father warned him not to tell anyone about his mother's true condition, ladies would be lining up to take her place and become the new Duchess.
Adeline patted his back. "I can help with that. Do you trust me?"