#rios.

After being undercovered for so long, it would've been crazy to accept a desk job or even a nice position abroad as the "admiral" tried to persuade him to accept. Nah, he was going to accept the only other option he had, which was play pretend for 6 months to a year being a suburban literature professor married to Natasha. Nat was a pro and anyone locked up with her for a year would be the luckiest bastard on Earth.

Unfortunately, after he had said yes and only with a couple of days until the "move" to the neighborhood started, they heard the word that Nat was injured and had a long rehab process ahead of her and the only other person available was that irritating do gooder that he absolutely loathed. He tried getting the Admiral to change the assignment but old Picard reminded Ríos he had just rejected a perfectly good Op abroad so now he had to 'suck it'.

It wasn't that cristobal liked going to therapy but he could see clear as day that he was doing better. All the guilt he felt subdued somewhat, at least at times. And the doctor had given him simple steps to snap out of potential panic attacks so hey, he was winning.

Also, he really enjoyed the coffee place around the corner. They had all kinds of coffee machines and the best pastries he ever recalled eating. And there was the beautiful woman he bumped into again and again for months now. Cris had decided that if she walked in today he'd say something to her, maybe ask about the weather.

It had been an eventful couple of months--couple of years was more like it. The family had gone through turmoil over and over again. First with Adam's failed wedding, then with the real one, the boys at odds, Caspian being Caspian. His mother suffering for it. And now she had gotten the twins and Marie was gone. Thankfully, he wasn't the only one in the family that knew the matriarch's secret anymore, Prue (and he guessed Brett) also knew of it.

And now he was to wear his best man suit soon again, at Prudence and Brett's wedding and he couldn't be happier for them, truly.

But he would be lying if he said he did not wish it was his time. The one for him seem to elude him once again and he wasn't one to rake like his friends--he had never enjoyed it much, if at all.

Speaking of rakes, the prince was back in England, with Nicolette in toll and one of the first orde of duties for him was to visit his friend, see how things were going--rumors were abound and none of them bore well. Maybe Caspian would stay for good under his auntie's wing if rumors were true. And if that were to occur, would Violet finally tell him the truth?

That was not his secret to tell. It wasn't Prudence's either, as much as she thought it was. It was Violet's and Violet's alone.

The plan was going eerily well. With one of the three going insane from bankrupcy, there was now two to go. They had decided to leave Fernand for last and now the fowl man was temporarily gone from town, an opportunity that Cristobal would not let to go to waste.

With Haydee's upcoming presentation into society, they had found a socially acceptable way to have Claudia home more often than was proper, today being one such case.

Dante was getting impatient. He thought of different ways to approach the Count when the time came. There was a certain level of betrayal in it as well. Perhaps the count was just using their fencing lessons to get close to his mother? Dante could not know for sure. But he was here because it was a question of honor, and men like the Count probably didn’t care about the women they took to bed. Married or not. Dante dug his nails into his palms. His dark curls fell over his eyes. “We have that in common then.” He commented. “I like to read about the Roman Empire. It’s a fascinating thing.” How they rose and they fell. The characters of Caesar, Brutus, and Augustus stuck out to him. Caesar was betrayed by the man he called son, the man he trusted. That’s how it went in Rome. You had to do terrible things to get what you wanted. “You should take the trail by a stone bridge.” Dante mentioned. “The trail leads to an old Roman temple. Nobody knows why it’s there, or what it was for. But it’s a beautiful view.” Dante cleared his throat. “Of course, not without a chaperone. That would be truly inappropriate.” Dante cast his gaze towards an old painting on the wall. The Count was a man he once respected, and his house was just as magnificent. It pained him to have to come here for these reasons. The sound of a door opening caught his attention. His heart lodged into his throat. “If that’s the Count, I’m afraid our conversation has run short.” Dante grabbed her hand, placing a kiss upon it one final time. “It was good meeting you, my lady.” 

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Haydee would not admit it to another soul, probably not even herself at this point but talking to this young man had been the easiest thing she had to do in months. Conversation was easy and even though he was aloof and preoccupied he seemed to be genuinely interested in polite conversation. Hmm.

"I hadn't heard of any ruins, I'll have to see for myself," Haydee smiled politely. "With a chaperone of course, yes, you're right." Oh if this bloke only knew the amount of improper things they did on weekly basis he'd be scandalized. Maybe one day he would, after all of it is over, after his fake father had paid, after she'd take off to the Americas where her one friend had a family now. She'd love to see those pyramids herself, such a good mystery.

She wouldn't admit how her breath caught when Dante pressed a soft kiss to her hand or how disapointed she was when it was in fact Cristobal (with Juan of course) the one coming in.

"Brother, you have a visitor," Haydee quicked to reach for the boys before either accidentally messed up. Cristobal smiled--a genuine smile--at the sight of his son but quickly dropped it noticing the young man's countenance.

"You have tea set and still warm. Lovely meeting you monsieur de morcef," she offered with a little smile, avoiding to look at Juan and his snickery grin at the sight of haydee somewhat flushed.