Human Realm:
Fitzgerald returned shortly before evening.
Mabel heard his footsteps before he even reached her corridor.
She was seated near the fireplace, with a soft fabric resting in her lap. The flowers Charlotte had brought were still on the table, arranged neatly in the glass vase.
She hadn't touched them since the queen left.
The door opened softly. "You're still awake."
Mabel looked up.
Fitzgerald stood at the entrance, removing his gloves. His coat was slightly creased, and there was a tiredness around his eyes that hadn't been there that morning.
She smiled. "I didn't realise I was supposed to be asleep."
He laughed quietly. "That's not what I meant."
He walked into the room and placed his gloves on the table.
Mabel closed her book by her side. "Have you had a long day?"
"Long enough."
"Did everything go well?"
"Eventually."
He stopped in front of her.bFor a moment, he simply looked at her. Then he smiled. "I missed you."
