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 routines and 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 or to ask him questions about her. It seemed they 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 then reviewed the schedule on his phone.
A calendar block, once left deliberately flexible, had been filled. He approved the change without comment.
"Uncle," Lily's voice came a little sharp. She gave him a narrowed look, forcing him to hide his phone in his pocket.
