#8. In Search of a Fateful Encounter (4)

The departing Margrave and Margravine wanted to spend a little more time with their family

and their precious youngest daughter, so they had booked tickets for a late-afternoon train back to the West, close to evening.

After parting with her parents,

and after Eugenie had secretly led her to the ladies’ room to fix her makeup, following the tears she’d shed where no one could see, the two women finally left the bustling station. The red sunset filled the evening sky.

“Eli. Since it’s gotten so late anyway, should we go out for dinner?”

With the sunset falling behind the enormous train station, Albris stood with his back to the view and smiled brightly at the two women.

Then he set his left foot on the carriage step the coachman had opened and offered Eugenie a hand, escorting her inside first.

“Thank you, Young Lord.”

After Eugenie’s greeting from inside the carriage, Eleonore’s voice followed.

“Dinner?”...