Since there was important business to discuss, bringing along family members would be inconvenient. Astrid glanced at the wall clock, then turned toward Lyra and Amalia.
"Lady Charlotte needs me for something. I won't be dining with you tonight."
She gently stroked Amalia's head, then bent down to kiss the little girl's forehead, soothing her before asking Lyra to accompany the latter when she left. Then, led by the head maid, Astrid exited the storeroom.
Watching that elegant figure disappearing from sight, Lyra quietly turned back and whispered softly.
"Then, Livia, let's go together later."
"Mm."
Amalia also withdraws her gaze, timidly responding according to her usual persona.
Thirty minutes later, at a fancy restaurant, Astrid sat in a private room reserved in advance by Charlotte. Her slender arm propped her cheek as she gazed outside the third-floor window at the sinking sunset.