11: Agreement or Threat

Chapter 11: Agreement or Threat

Richard promptly accepted the invitation from Elizabeth's mother, who invited him to dance as soon as she saw them stepping away. Generously, Elizabeth gifted each of her brothers a dance.

"Siblings... my foot is throbbing, and this atmosphere is starting to make me nervous. I'm going for a walk outside and leaving Gaby in your care; she seems quite downcast," she announced.

"Are you plotting something, Elizabeth?" Brian asked suspiciously, as he knew his sister well.

"It's nothing serious, just let me be alone," Elizabeth replied.

She exited, crossing the hall to one of the balconies, where she sat on a bench near the railing. She sighed with relief as she finally took off the heels that had been hurting her ankle.

Meanwhile, Richard continued chatting absentmindedly with his parents, as if Elizabeth wasn't present.

"I still believe you and Elizabeth can get along. It's a bit strange that, after being husband and wife, you remain distant," Zeus comment