Meanwhile, just as two people were busy entertaining thoughts that one bro normally wouldn't be having about another alleged bro, two other adults were being subjected to a far more immediate crisis.
Forced bed rest.
After a night of staying far too awake.
Like toddlers who had somehow discovered a secret stash of sugar and were now vibrating at frequencies unknown to science, Count Alexander and Countess Jenna found themselves wide-eyed and fully alert after finally being ushered into the dungeon space.
Naturally, neither of them had any idea why they were being escorted into a more private area at the very end of such an overwhelming day. They followed anyway, trusting their son and the other familiar faces guiding them, only to be stumped by Luca's surprising security protocol.
A pinky swear.
Count Alexander stared.
Once.
Twice.
Then a third time, just to be sure that exhaustion had not finally claimed him as he tried racking his brain for anything called a pinky swear.
