Chapter 160. Opportunistic

Alethea followed behind Desmond quietly as they stepped back into the tea house; she had her hands at her back and her face lowered. Alethea’s metal boots clinked as they smacked against the wooden floor, alerting Meredith of their return. Meredith’s lips curled into a soft smile, the ends of her lips pushing against her cheeks gently, and her eyes sparkling with a glint of mischief.

Alethea and Desmond paused outside the circle of incense candles and beside the two maids who knelt in wait for their meeting with Meredith to be over. Desmond cleared his throat and stepped into the circle, walking back to the table. Meredith saw him, and her smile brightened.

“Lady Meredith, I’m sorry that took so long,” Desmond said, sitting on the floor and crossing his legs. He noticed that his cup was filled with hot tea again, and a white envelope sat on the table.

“It’s… fine. Where is your right-hand maiden?” Meredith asked.

“Lady, Meredith,” Alethea voiced from behind h