For a moment, his eyes rested on her. His eyes narrowed slightly, a flash of recognition crossed his face, but he said nothing. He turned back to Alaric.

"Well, let's sit down. We have much to discuss."

Elinora lowered her gaze and continued to play the role of assistant. But her stomach was tied in knots. Had she just gotten away with it, or hadn't anything started yet?

The two men sat down and without wasting time, they began to talk. Elinora and Ronnik sat in a corner and watched the meeting waiting to see if they were needed for anything. 

Oliver spoke confidently, his voice steady as he went over the latest trade deals and the new opportunities that presented themselves in the kingdom. Alaric listened to him carefully, nodding every now and then, occasionally glancing at the papers in front of him.

At one point, while the conversation had reached a particularly crucial negotiation, Oliver stopped suddenly and leaned back slightly in his chair.

"Before we go any further..." he said, in a tone that sounded almost indifferent, "we need to look at the files I sent you a month ago."

"I'll go get them right away," Alaric said, "it will only take me a minute."

"You can send someone else to go," Oliver said with an imperceptible smile.

"You don't have to. I only know where I put them anyway," Alaric said and agreed.

Ronnik followed him without a second thought, motioning for Elinora to stay in her seat.

She stood still, feeling panic take over. Now they were alone, she and Oliver.

He took a sip of his wine and looked at her calmly, but carefully.

"It's been years, Elinora," his voice was low, almost soft.

Elinora felt her stomach tighten. It was certain now, he knew. How would she deal with this situation? She didn't know his intentions. She didn't know if she should trust him. They had been friends before but it had been a long time since then, they had both changed a lot.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Lord Edrian," she hesitated for a moment but finally answered coldly, trying to keep her composure.

Oliver put his glass on the table and laughed softly.

"You don't have to play clueless. It may have been years, but I'd never forget you."

Elinora clasped her hands. He slowly rose from his seat and took a few steps towards her.

"It's no use hiding. I know you. And I didn't believe, not even for a second, that you were Edmund."

Elinora didn't answer.

"What happened, Elinora? How did you get here, like this? Talk to me," he told her in a calm tone.

"I can't, not here."

Oliver didn't have time to answer. He heard the door open and stepped away from Elinora.