Ophelia knew the scandals of all the wealthy families.

Knew things that would make this city crumble and ruin empires. She expected all the Manchesters to be as foul as them, but in truth, they were kind people. Flawed, surely, but people she didn’t mind being around. She could sense the guilt every time she was summoned and the darkened cloud of unknowing what to do with someone they loved.

Despite the growing darkness that brewed over the château and the city, Mavus was a shining beacon. Always hopeful. Encouraging. Setting a luminous example in a city veiled with shadows.

“I’m concerned how often you are called here,” he said to the tea he held out for her. “If we are not friends, is there anyone else?”

She pulled the tea to her with a flick of her brow. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“I’m concerned for your well-being. --You have a difficult job. If you do not think of us as friends, I only mean to say I hope you have someone that can help carry your weight.”

“I don’t think that’s any of your concern, Mavus.”

He sat back and turned to his tea. “You are more to this family than your gardening skills.”

“I really don’t see how that’s possible.”

“We trust you.”

“You’re afraid of me,” she corrected.

Mavus shook his head. “I don’t invite nightmares to tea, although that may be a good way to understand them.”

“The only thing to trust in this city is that it can’t be trusted.”

Her words froze him. “Do you really believe that?”

“You don’t have to be from Low to know that’s true. You’ve been around the city. You know it is.”

Shifting his position and expression, Mavus continued. “It is something that I aim to change. As heir-apparent and sitting representative, I am painfully aware of how fragile our structure is. I’ve gone into the caverns of Low and I’ve helped make the plans to fix our foundations. I want to do more than arrange stone. I want to repair more than our structural supports. It pains me you can’t trust the city, my city.”

The passion in his voice faded to resignation. “My family has been tending to it since the beginning. We’re the ones who made it stable so people could flourish here. Maybe you don’t trust the people here, but I hope that you trust me. That I will do everything in my power to make sure this city does not fall.”

Ophelia kept the tea on her leg. She watched his gentle gaze move over her.

Sunlight.

“One day,” he placed his tea on the table and leaned to Ophelia, “all the secrets will come up. All those skeletons will be exhumed. We will give them justice as will the courts. They do, and they will. The problem is getting it to court. It’s a waiting game that turns my stomach, but I can’t do it while everyone believes that it’s not a pressing issue.”

“You act like this has something to do with me.”

He made a face, confused. “I didn't mean to imply fault. Only that as Honorable, and the keeper of secrets, I hope one day you will no longer need to be; you have the unique fortune of both sides willing to listen to you. Low and Vista.”

Ophelia narrowed her eyes. She leaned forward and placed her untouched tea on the table. “So, you want to use me? I’m a tool to you. No better than a shovel in your eyes.”

“I misspoke.” Mavus receded into his chair. His face fell as genuine confusion and ache came over him. “My apologies, it seems you have other priorities right now. You are Honorable Ophelia, and nothing else.” But that didn’t sit well with her either. Shoulders relaxed as he exhaled out of his nose. Realizing he had offended her, he shifted forward “I hope that you have an enjoyable rest of your day. As always, it was a pleasure to chat.” Mavus stood. He fixed his coat and smoothed down his hair. “Please, stay as long as you like.”

She clenched her hands and said nothing.

He gave a smile, warm, friendly, and political. “I’ll see you tomorrow at the van Croix’s.”

“Mavus, wait.”

“I see that I’ve picked a bad time, but it is something that I would like to discuss when--if you’re ready.” He tilted his head in a bow to signal his leave. “Whether or not you want to, you’re always welcomed here.”

They locked eyes, and…she believed him.

“Whatever your priorities are, Ophelia, they come first.”

“I will be fine.”

“Know you’re not on your own, if you don’t want to be.”

“...Thank you, Mavus.”

She gave a soft smile to let him know she meant it. As Mavus opened his mouth to say more, a loud and exhausted groan fell through his door.

“For fuck’s sake, Mavus. If you talk like that anymore, I will throw up. Right here.” Baccus leaned a shoulder into the door frame. He picked at his nails and rolled brown eyes over Ophelia and his older brother.

Whatever was soft in Mavus’ face, tightened again. He sighed as his shoulders fell. His eyes rolled over. “Baccus.”

“Heir-apparent.” Baccus’ hand slid through his sienna-brown hair.

“Is it true, you drugged your tutor?”

“I don’t know why you even bother to ask.”

“You are so intelligent and yet you waste it on pranks.”

Baccus shrugged.

Mavus tempered a growl. He turned back to Ophelia. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to go make sure a tutor is still breathing.”

Then he stormed to the door, all the while Baccus called out: “don’t get too close, he’s been dreaming something wild.”

“Baccus!”