Chapter 103 - 104
After saying their farewells, Alistar led the girls back to Caedmon’s estate where they were quickly summoned to dinner by a frowning house servant. Although none of them were hungry, they made their way to the dining hall with collective apprehension. During this walk, Alistar resolved to take quick action in order to assuage any anger that his cousins might have been harbouring toward him.
The only people in the dining hall upon their arrival were Edmun, Calum, and a few house servants. His uncles, including Caedmon, were currently walking through a distant hallway, having just left a more discreet sitting room that was rarely used by the inhabitants of the house. Alder and Mr. Albeck were also on their way over from the library, while Lessa’s parents were just being admitted to the estate by Rayson and Herald. Johan and Priscilla were sitting on a bench in the outer gardens, with no indication of movement.
"Seems we got here at the perfect time," commented Anice as Mr. and Mrs. Silvus entered the room from the other doorway.
"So it seems," muttered Alistar. "You two go and pick your seats. I’ll be right there."
Without waiting for a response, he quickly broke off from the two of them and walked over to where his cousins were standing by one of the windows. They didn’t seem too happy to see him, both sipping from silver chalices of wine that they had snatched from the table.
"Cousins," said Alistar, holding his hands up in a gesture of placation. "About what happened earlier, I’m sorry for butting in. As an apology, I’ve brought you some gifts that I think you’ll like."
Edmun glanced at him though didn’t turn away from his brother. "What could you have that I would ever take?"
Alistar answered by holding out two of the three coins that Vanessa had given him, her aura apparent on their surfaces. Seeing this, both of the brothers turned their focus on the objects with wide eyes.
"Is this...?" said Calum, grabbing one of them without ceremony. "How did you manage to get these?"
Edmun grabbed his without saying a word and began to look it over with excited fingers.
"Well, I was lucky enough to end up talking to Vanessa for a while and it seems that her companions were just jealous of your fine clothes and good looks, so they tried to shoo you away."