Peals of laughter filled the dining room as Anton's eyelashes fluttered while he indulged in romantic thoughts. Liam giggled softly, holding his knife and fork. The sound of his chuckle made Anton blush so deeply that he nearly choked on a piece of meat. He coughed, grabbing the glass of water from his side as he drank. 

The servants left the room quietly as the light from the chandelier seemed to glow brighter. The air felt light and pleasant, carrying an almost celebratory mood. 

Liam’s eyes crinkled with amusement. “I didn’t know that you would think of my word for something romantic, Anton,” Liam spoke calmly, brushing away a tear of joy beneath his right eye with the tip of his finger.  

Arnold didn’t know how to respond. At one point, he felt offended as though Liam thought of him as nothing more than just a driver who played a role as a friend. It did pang his chest. When Liam noticed Anton’s sudden quietness, the room fell into an uneasy silence, broken only by the faint clink of cutlery against porcelain. 

“I’m sorry. I must’ve heard your pride.” Liam said calmly. The words stunned Anton. His eyes met Liam’s sullen gaze, and his heart gave a heavy throb. Say something, Anton, as he thought, clenching his fists on his lap under the table. 

“Ah, you don’t have to apologize, Liam,” Anton said awkwardly, with his heart pounding relentlessly, telling himself to get a grip and just let it go. “I was just…surprised because you never come into my room unless you need something for me to run an errand for you,” he added, letting out an awkward giggle, scratching the back of his neck. 

“Why would I let you run an errand from this far away land, hmmm?” Liam’s tone sounded cold, locking eyes with Anton while slicing a piece of meat. A strange tension hung in the air, making even the simplest movements feel deliberate. 

Anton felt something churning in his stomach as he gulped. His eyes looked shocked, thinking why Liam would talk that way, as if he were talking with somebody else in the dining room. Yet, he diverted his attention by asking. 

“Then, if not an errand, is there something else you want me to do?” Anton asked, feeling strange all of a sudden. 

“I brought a bottle of whiskey with me when we came here…and I forgot about it,” Liam said composedly, poking the asparagus and eating them. “So, I was wondering why not share it with you. You’ve been the one coming into my room often, so this time, I’d like to be the one visiting your room,” he said unwaveringly, meeting Arnold’s astonished face. Liam let out a quiet huff. 

“It would be too boring if I were the only one enjoying it, Anton,” Liam said, smiling. “What do you think? Drinking near the fireplace suits best in this cold place, right?” he added as he took another slice of meat, eating it quietly. 

“Ah, yes. I’ll set up the table and chairs near the fireplace. I’ll go to the kitchen after dinner and ask them to prepare a light snack and fruits for us. Will that be alright?” Anton said, feeling a bit better after those sudden goosebumps he felt earlier. Probably, the two of them need to relax their thoughts after what happened in the library. 

It was around eight o’clock in the evening when Anton arranged a small round table and two chairs before the fireplace. A platter of sliced fruits and assorted cheeses sat on the center table with two crystal whisky tumblers and a bucket of ice, should Liam need it. 

His room was bathed in a soft, dim glow. The large veranda windows stood open, allowing a pale moonlight to spill across the floor and mingle with the warm light of the lamps. Yet suddenly, a distant rumble of thunder rolled across the sky, breaking the tranquil silence and hinting at an approaching storm. 

Anton strolled toward the veranda windows. “It looks like it is about to rain soon,” he mumbled, looking at the dark sky with no stars. He could hear the wind sweeping through the orchard, rustling the leaves and swaying the trees outside. 

He closed the window when he heard a knock on the door. “Liam,” He murmured as he drew the curtains shut, shutting out the restless night beyond. 

The moment he opened the door, Liam beamed with a smile. 

“Are you ready to party, Anton?” Liam said happily. Anton let out a scoff. “Are we even allowed to be noisy during this hour? Come in, Liam,” he said, smiling back. Liam looked pleased as he stepped inside Anton’s cozy room. 

Seeing how Anton set up near the fireplace like two people having a date, his lips curled into a warm grin without Anton noticing him. 

“I hope you like how I set it up. It doesn’t look weird, right?” Anton said awkwardly, scratching the back of his head, feeling nervous at the same time. 

“I am very pleased with this, Anton,” Liam said softly, feeling at home. “Then, shall we dig in?” he said comfortably.