If one had not known that the two little boys sitting with Adèle and Bash were Adèle's brothers, one would have thought that they were an actual family.

Or, at least, that's what the villagers thought. As Adèle helped serve breakfast, whilst also paying off few small amounts of debt for the villagers nearby who came to visit and provide food, Bash helped Theo and Cyril settle in the dining room. Being the energetic little boys they were, it was not easy for him to make them remain seated throughout the whole morning, but as soon as he offered them a lesson in sword fighting, they instantly agreed, and did not make another move as they sat politely in their chairs.

Adèle entered the dining room and greeted them with a hello. A single strand of hair fell on her face as she paced towards the dining table, holding a large plate of breads along with butter. Several servants came following as she set the silver plates out on the table. She was still wearing the dress as the night before, for she barely had time to change. Adèle continued to seat herself in one of the chairs across from Bash, as her hands flattened out the creases on her dress. Once they had begun eating, Theo and Cyril were the first ones to finish their meals. They drunk their milk in several gulps, and then were left to their maids. Adèle allowed them to play outside for a while before taking their baths, and this made Theo and Cyril's faces light up with excitemen.

Meanwhile, Adèle and Bash exchanged looks as they ate. These looks consisted primarily of smirks, or simply small smiles. "Were you going to say something?" asked Adèle, as she swallowed a small portion of the roasted chicken on her plate.

"No," said Bash. "I just wanted to ask you the precise date you are going to return to France. Perhaps I could notify the king and queen,"

"There is a small chance I will be returning to France soon, as my parents are still away visiting their friends."

"And that is why they are not present at the moment?"

Adèle nodded in reply, and continued eating her meal. "How is French court?" she asked, as she chewed on her food. She realized she had been speaking to him whilst eating, so she blushed in embarrassment.

"You could say that everything is fine,"

"When it's really not." she finished his sentence, and then let out a small chuckle. "I never realized you ate so quickly. Is it just a habit of yours or are you just hungry?"

"I'm afraid it is a bad habit of mine," Bash beamed, yet he did not seem the least bit embarrassed. "Used to get on Francis's nerves when we were younger."

"You never talk much of your childhood with Francis. Actually, this is the first time you have raised this topic of conversation with me. How odd, isn't it?"

"I don't particularly like speaking to others of my childhood," Bash's eyes averted from hers down to his plate. "It makes me feel very selfish, very arrogant.. for some strange, unexplainable reason. I am not sure that everyone feels the same, but I have never bothered to ask, or to tell anyone of this, except you, of course."

"Is that so?" Adèle seemed surprised. "I shall tell you about mine's if you tell me about yours. Go on then,"

Bash remained silent for a moment. He raised an eyebrow and looked at her with the strangest expression on his face. It seemed, to her, that it was quite shocking for Bash, to see her so open-minded, yet he became much happier when he realised this hinted that she had become much more comfortable around him. "Very well," he smiled. "My child was an uneventful one, you could say."

"How tedious," teased Adèle.

"Growing up as a king's bastard with no responsibility and no official duties has its own prerequisites. For example, when Francis was busy attending grand ceremonies held by foreign princes and princesses, I remained behind instead, in my chambers for as long as I wished, unlike him. Henry, my father, used to take me to numerous hunting trips, as well." He explained this whist still managing to finish his food.

"I have heard that you were nicknamed King Henry's favourite son," replied Adèle. "Or at least that's what my mother told me."

"I don't know much of that," said Bash. "But I would not consider myself his favourite son. It implies the fact that that even bastards can be loved by their fathers."

Her eyes now filled with sorrow, and the smile had been wiped off of her face. "Why would you say something like that?"

"It's difficult to understand."

"It does not mean that to you have to hate your father for loving you," Adèle said under her breath, for he did not want to provoke an argument.

"Enough about me," replied Bash. "What about you?"

"Well, you know that I spent most of my childhood outdoors."

"And how I envy you for that," Bash smiled.

"You did too," she said, and sipped on a silver cup of warm milk. "After all, you were given more freedom than your half brothers and half sisters. I imagine you spent most of childhood carelessly lingering on your bed or riding out to the woods as Francis glared at you with jealousy written across his face."

"That is precisely what he did," Bash chuckled. "How did you know?"

They did not continue their meals in silence, and instead chattered away for as long as they could. Bash and Adèle perceived the loud sounds of Theo and Cyril refusing to take their baths from upstairs, which caused quite a lot of giggles. Several servants came passing by looking confused, but they ignored it, and continued discussing whatever topic was brought up in their conversation.

 It was the first morning that they had spent together where they were free of their past troubles, and because of this, they were more than grateful.