Chapter 16: Just Being Nice
The sky was still dark when I opened my eyes. A dull throb pulsed at my temples─a combination of fatigue and whatever leftover tension the night had failed to wash away. I didn’t bother trying to go back to sleep. Sleep never did much for me, not when my mind wouldn’t shut up.
By 5:00 a.m., I was dressed and ready. Dark slacks, crisp shirt, sleeves rolled just enough to let the morning chill kiss my forearms. The silence of the mansion wrapped around me as I moved through the halls until the warm scent of freshly brewed coffee led me to the dining area.
Thomas was already there, standing with practiced posture beside the polished table.
"Good morning, Master Adrien," he greeted, bowing his head slightly.
I nodded once and sank into the high-backed chair at the end of the table. "Morning."
He moved to pour coffee into my mug─he always did it without asking, because he knew exactly how I took it.
"Did you dispose of the dress?" I asked quietly, fingers curling around the warm mugg.
There was a beat of hesitation before he answered, "We... washed it, sir."
I glanced up, brow lifting.
"It seemed expensive," he added simply.
I grunted. "Fair enough."