Heather lay sprawled across the bed in the young master's chamber, Alex curled up beside her. Caius's bed. She still found it ridiculous how the staff referred to him that way, as if he were some untouchable figure rather than just Caius.
Young master? He was just Caius. Fear and reverence wrapped around him like a cloak, thick enough for her to notice at every turn. Even when she had insulted him, calling him a self-important ass in front of the maids for saying she would outgrow the dress in less than a day, they only exchanged wary glances among themselves, too stunned to react.
Her fingers brushed through Alex's hair absentmindedly.
"Are you and Daddy really married?" Alex asked suddenly, looking up at her with quiet curiosity.
Heather froze for a fraction of a second, her mind racing. What was the right answer? The truth felt cruel. The lie felt heavier. She didn't want to break whatever fragile happiness Alex had settled into, but she also didn't want to betray him.
