Norman did not knock at her door.
He sent a message first.
Come to the east wing balcony. If you're not asleep, that is.
Akhile stared at her screen for a full moment before responding.
I'm not.
The estate corridors were quieter at night. The surveillance lights dimmed to conserve energy, casting soft amber trails along the floor. The servants had all retired for bed.
Norman was already leaning against the stone railing of the east wing balcony when she stepped outside. Akhile had just thrown on a robe over her negligee nightdress.
He had removed his coat. His sleeves were rolled back, revealing forearms dusted faintly with the day's work. It was not soil or manure this time, but something else.
"You actually came over," he said softly.
"You invited me."
He smiled.
Below them, the town was still a bustling pleasure, lights flickering on and off, pods driving off and back. This was the infamous nightlife.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
"I reviewed the compliance data just now," Norman said eventually. "Your name came up in the Board minutes."
"That was quick."
"They circulate everything immediately."
She folded her arms against the cool air. "You heard I hesitated."
"I heard you didn't endorse."
There was something like approval in his tone.
"You agree with me?" she asked.
"I agree that people aren't just numbers," he replied. "But I also know what happens when production stalls."
She turned to face him. "You sound just like your brother, you know." She frowned. "Sometimes I can't tell you two apart."
Norman shook his head gently. "Hey now, let's not do that. I am nothing like Nathaniel Redcliff. I'm just making an unbiased assessment," he paused. "And I know you're the kind of woman that wouldn't want to be told what she wanted to hear."
That softened her.
"You grew up in this," she said.
"Yes."
"And it didn't taint you."
His gaze lingered on her longer than usual.
"It tried."
The honesty in that made her chest tighten, her heart race.
Akhile stepped closer to the railing. Their shoulders brushed this time, and this was deliberate.
She didn't move away.
"Why did you really come tonight?" she asked.
"I told you."
"For the upcoming inspections."
He exhaled slowly. "I came because you haven't contacted me since you got here."
She hadn't realised he would notice.
"I didn't know if things were good or bad for you here."
"Things are not real here."
"I know...most things aren't real anywhere"
She laughed softly.
The wind shifted, carrying a colder current from the industrial district. Without thinking, Norman reached out and adjusted the collar of her robe.
His fingers lingered a second too long at her throat.
Akhile felt his touch everywhere.
"Cora, you're freezing," he said quietly.
"I'm fine."
"You're not."
His hand dropped slowly.
But neither of them stepped away.
"Cora," he said, and the way he said her name felt different here. It was less formal.
"Yes?"
"If you don't want to marry him…"
She inhaled sharply. He didn't even get the chance to finish the sentence.
The estate lights flickered slightly as the system recalibrated. Akhile suddenly became aware of how close they were to each other.
"Norman," she whispered, "if I refuse, it destabilises my kingdom. The elders told me that the outside forces would take over."
"And if you accept?" he asked.
She swallowed.
"Everything remains as it is."
"What about you?"
The question struck deeper than she expected.
"I don't know," she admitted. "Nathaniel said I could live out my days in the kingdom if I wanted."
His hand found hers again. His gaze shifted to it, as he wanted to make sure it landed in the right place. He turned his palm upward and let her decide to take it.
She did.
Her fingers slid into his, feeling the warmth. Hers were soft and delicate, and his were large farmer's hands.
He let her fingers glide in between his before he tightened his grip slightly.
"You don't get to disappear here," he murmured. "Not while I'm around."
Her heart fluttered into different motions.
For a moment she imagined leaning forward. She imagined the feeling if he kissed her. That feeling was unattainable, and she thought she would simply pass away again and go to heaven this time.
He must have heard her heart by now, and how she had stopped breathing. But instead of closing the gap, he rested his forehead lightly against hers.
This was softer than a kiss. But it couldn't be defined.
"I won't make this harder for you," he said quietly.
That restraint opened her more than passion could have.
Across the estate, Nathaniel paused mid-thought. He glanced toward the internal monitoring system on his desk.
The estate felt… different, like there was more to it.
His gaze drifted toward the east wing lights, and they were on, although dimmed to conserve energy. Norman was home.
Nathaniel stood and walked toward the window overlooking the courtyard.
From this distance, he could only see silhouettes.
Two figures were resting on the balcony. They were close but not touching.
His jaw tightened unconsciously. Norman was with someone he couldn't recognise.
Nathaniel stopped himself from looking any further. They both respected each other's privacy.
Back on the balcony, Norman reluctantly stepped back from Akhile.
"I should let you get some rest," he said.
"You're staying three days," she reminded him.
"Yes."
"Then we have time to hang out."
The words hung between them.
He smiled faintly. "We'll see."
As she turned to leave, he briefly caught her hand once more.
This time, his thumb brushed lightly over her knuckles. This was a silent promise.
When she returned to her apartment, the system lights adjusted automatically.
"Good evening, Princess Cora," the intercom said softly.
"Good evening to you also," she whispered. She touched her forehead where his had rested. She could still feel the pressure.
Something in the order of things had moved.