The house was already awake when Franz came downstairs.
That, in itself, was not unusual. Schedules had always been kept tightly. What had changed was how smoothly the morning fell into place with their routines. Staff moved through it without hesitation, doing tasks that no longer required confirmation. Breakfast was served, and the day progressed as planned.
The twins behaved well these days. They never asked him to bring them to the villa where Arianne stayed. They didn't ask questions about her. It seemed they had accepted something no one would have voiced in front of them.
Franz glanced at them, studying them for a moment. When he noticed nothing unusual with their demeanor, he moved on.
He reviewed the schedule on his phone.
A calendar block, once left deliberately flexible in case Arianne's presence required adjustment, had been filled. He approved the change without comment.
"Uncle," Lily's voice came a little sharp. She gave him a narrowed look.
