Chapter 52: The Accusation
The Henley house was still, the silence broken only by the steady tick-tock of the grandfather clock in the drawing room. Caroline stood before the clock’s glass, tilting her head to admire the ruby necklace around her neck. She murmured, "How fortunate I am..."
Upon hearing footsteps, she turned swiftly, her face lighting up with an eagerness that bordered on desperation. "Ezekiel, you’re finally home!" she exclaimed.
Ezekiel leaned forward to brush a superficial kiss against her cheek, his lips barely grazing her skin. "Caroline," he greeted smoothly, slipping off his coat and draping it neatly over a chair. "It’s rather late. Shouldn’t you be resting?"
"I couldn’t sleep," Caroline replied, her tone wistful, a small pout forming on her lips. "You’re always working... always away. I wanted to wait for you. Maybe we could have dinner together?"
Ezekiel’s eyes flicked briefly to the untouched dining table before settling on her face, his smile practiced and faint. "Of course."
Caroline brightened. Together, they moved to the dining room. A maid appeared silently, pouring a stream of dark, crimson liquid into Ezekiel’s crystal glass. The deep red hue caught the faint candlelight, glinting like liquid garnets as Ezekiel raised it to his lips. He took a slow sip, the silence between them stretching.
Caroline fidgeted, her fingers twisting together in her lap, before she began, "Ezekiel, I have been wondering... when will you turn me into a Halfling?"
The question hung in the air, and for a fraction of a second, the faintest twitch of amusement ghosted across Ezekiel’s lips. He lowered his glass and replied, "Your parents would never forgive me. And the process... it’s unpredictable. Dangerous. I couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to you."
Her breath caught, the rehearsed care in his tone momentarily melting her doubts. "You truly care for me, don’t you?" she whispered, her insecurities bubbling beneath her words.
"Of course," he replied, leaning forward to place his hand on hers. The touch was gentle, his fingertips cool against her skin. "You’re my wife. My responsibility. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you."
Caroline’s cheeks flushed, a shy, hopeful smile lighting up her face. "You’re so good to me, Ezekiel. I don’t know what I’d do without you."