Aldric stood tall, holding a massive bouquet of fresh roses. Their fragrance filled the room, rich and intoxicating.
He stepped closer to Amelia, extending the flowers toward her.
Amelia accepted them cautiously, her mind racing. Is this part of the contract… or one of Irelia's schemes?, she wondered.
She glanced at Irelia for any hint, and the little girl shook her head, clearly disapproving.
Aldric placed several large boxes at her feet. Amelia carefully set the roses aside to manage the load.
"What… what are these for?" she asked, frowning. "It's not my birthday."
Aldric's gaze softened just slightly. "Consider them an apology… for bringing another woman into the house."
Amelia turned to Irelia, who shrugged helplessly, hands raised as if to say, I don't know.
Aldric noticed the subtle exchange and added calmly, "She had no idea."
