Rubius did not say a thing. For a moment, at least, he held his peace.
"You don't have to answer if you don't wish to," she kept her eyes on the paper, "I understand how frustrating all of this must be for you, being interrogated so openly and directly by a woman in your family so… You don't have to say anything if you don't feel like it. I won't react the way you would have towards me had the roles been reversed,"
From the corner of her eyes, the manner in which Rubius opened his mouth, took a breath in then just closed it back without a whisper was very visible.
Though eventually, he did find his voice, "I've been here and there, seeking peace,"
The answer left Arabella a tad perplexed, but she kept the thought to herself.
"That tiara upon your head," he killed the silence between them once more, "The one you donned this very morning," he elaborated since Arabella had long since changed into a more comfortable wear, "It was something I yearned to see for the longest time,"
