Evangeline found it truly peaceful to watch Steward, realizing that he seemed to be one of the very few people in the castle who genuinely wished to understand Hades. Not fear him, not revere him blindly, and not attempt to control him, but understand him. There was something quietly reassuring about that realization, something that eased the tightness in her chest without her quite knowing why.
"Well, I suppose I shall take my leave now," Steward said at last, straightening slightly. "There are tasks that I fear cannot be entrusted to the newer servants of the castle. Should they be left alone, especially in the kitchen, they would surely make a terrible mess of things. I shall leave you here."
"I'll also return to my room then," Evangeline said instinctively, already preparing to follow him.
Steward shook his head at once, lifting a hand to stop her. "Why so?"
She paused, caught off guard by the question.
