Chapter Sixteen
Old Stories Over Dinner
Daniel's arrival slowly began to feel real.
The villa next to Jack's had been unused for months, dust settling quietly over furniture covered in white sheets. It needed cleaning, repairs, and proper staff before Daniel could move in properly.
So that first night—
He stayed at Jack's villa.
Jack threw his arm over Daniel's shoulder casually.
"Welcome to France properly, cousin."
Daniel allowed a small smile. "You haven't changed."
"I have improved," Jack corrected proudly.
Meanwhile—
Clare walked home from the café with lighter steps than usual.
Daniel is here.
After so many years.
Her childhood friend.
And now she had discovered something surprising—
Daniel and Jack were cousins.
The world truly was smaller than she thought.
She replayed their brief eye contact in the café again and again.
He looked… older.
Calmer.
Different.
But still Daniel.
That evening, Jack and Daniel sat across from each other at the dining table.
Simple dinner.
Warm lighting.
No royal court.
No formal atmosphere.
Just two cousins.
After a few quiet minutes, Jack leaned back.
"So," he said casually, "Clare."
Daniel paused slightly.
"What about her?" he asked calmly.
Jack smirked. "You froze when you saw her."
Daniel exhaled softly.
"She was my childhood friend," he said. "We grew up in the same town."
Jack raised an eyebrow. "That's all?"
Daniel looked down at his plate for a second.
"She used to sing in the royal court," he continued. "She planted a vanilla vine for my father once. She asked for a school for dyslexic children instead of a reward."
Jack blinked.
"That sounds like her."
Daniel's voice softened slightly. "She left without telling me."
Jack noticed the small change in tone.
"She was young," Jack replied. "Maybe she didn't have a choice."
Daniel nodded once.
"I know."
Silence settled again, but not heavy.
Just thoughtful.
After a few moments, Daniel looked up.
"And Noah?" he asked.
Jack's expression changed immediately — more animated.
"Noah?" he laughed lightly. "She's impossible."
Daniel waited.
"She's been my best friend since childhood," Jack continued. "She argues like she's always right. She studies like she's competing with the world. And she never loses easily."
Daniel listened carefully.
"And Alice?" he asked.
"Ambitious," Jack said. "Very competitive. She pretends she doesn't care, but she does."
"And Clare?" Daniel asked quietly.
Jack leaned back again.
"Clare balances everything. When we fight, she calms it. When we overthink, she listens."
Daniel absorbed every word.
Jack studied his cousin carefully.
"You're not just asking casually," Jack said.
Daniel didn't deny it.
"I just want to know who she became."
Outside the window, France was quiet.
In another house nearby—
Xavier was unpacking law books.
In another room—
Clare was looking at the moon, wondering how tomorrow would feel.
And somewhere in between—
New friendships were beginning.
Old ones were reconnecting.
And none of them yet understood—
Will the park picnic on Saturday would shift dynamics in ways they didn't expect.
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