~Elsie's POV
When we got back to the house, everything felt a little different, even though nothing around us had really changed, and Salvatore stayed closer than usual.
It was not in a way that felt forced, and not in a way that made me uncomfortable, but in a way that made me aware of him at every moment. If I moved, he noticed. If I slowed down, he slowed too. And even when he was not speaking, I could feel his presence around me like a quiet shadow that refused to go far.
At first, I thought I was imagining it.
But then it kept happening. When I sat down, he sat close enough to reach me without moving too much. When I stood up, his eyes followed without trying to hide it. And when the maids came around, he always made sure they did not stress me or rush me.
It was… new, and strangely, I did not mind it.
