The door opened quickly and with practiced ease. Gabriel expected a servant, perhaps a palace attendant unfamiliar to him, but instead, he was met with the composed, familiar presence of Edward Walton. He had previously seen him in the Emperor's presence and was aware that he was one of his most trusted men.
"Good morning, Your Grace," Edward greeted, his voice carrying its usual steadiness, but there was a warmth beneath it that Gabriel had never noticed before.
Gabriel studied him for a moment, still adjusting to his surroundings. He was still dressed in yesterday's clothes, with his robe on one of the chairs. Edward did not seem surprised to see him there. If anything, the butler's expression was one of quiet satisfaction, as if everything had finally come together.
A shiver ran down his spine, wondering if he had made the right decision last night.
"You're not even going to ask how I ended up here?" Gabriel asked, arching his brow.
