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[Colette Hasting]

Colette paced through the empty halls of Keep Hasting, a shawl drawn tightly around her shoulders to keep out the evening chill. Father was finally asleep; the medicine would keep him resting peacefully through the night. That was for the best; for all she'd tried to maintain distance between them, he still regarded Caden as a son, and even Colette couldn't stand to watch him wait with worry for a son who wouldn't be returning home.

That thought alone was enough to send chills down her spine. To think, she'd finally have her way clear. She'd hope to be rid of the obstacles Caden presented more elegantly; with as capable and attractive as he was, he'd have made an excellent husband for some high-ranking lady. Like Aveline. Poor dear would be crushed when she heard the news; they were so perfectly matched, and Colette knew she'd had her heart set on him.

But this opportunity was too good to pass up, and when a good tool fell into one's lap, one had to use it. It was too bad this one would likely have to wind up discarded, but keeping him was too risky. At worst, he might say too much, and even under the best circumstances, he obviously lacked training in both combat and etiquette. Such an unrefined rogue could hardly be suited to a lady of Lysette's supreme elegance and skill. It would hurt her, which Colette regretted, but it was for the best. Surely, Lysette would come to understand that in time, when Colette had arranged a better, more fitting match for her most beloved cousin. She deserved the best, not some dirty scamp in a ragged mistcloak.

"My Lady?"

Colette turned, frowning in irritation at the interruption.

"Are you well, My Lady?" the servant asked. He was more hesitant now, wilting slightly under her glare, but he seemed well-meaning enough.

She could use this.

"My cousin is late coming home from the ball," she said, pulling the shawl tighter around her. "It's not like him."

"That is concerning indeed, My Lady. Should I alert the guards?"

"I think that would be for the best." Careful, now; she couldn't seem too concerned. But of course she would normally be concerned for Caden's well-being, if only because she would inevitably be blamed should anything happen to him. As was likely going to happen this time.

"Well?" She snapped. "Go on, then! If he's hurt, it will be on your head for dawdling!"

There. Much better. The guard scampered off, and Colette took a few deep, steadying breaths. She needed to return to her sitting room soon; any moment now, Jasun would be returning to confirm that the job had been done. She needed to be ready and waiting to receive the news, and to deliver his promised reward, however brief it might be.

Still, something tugged at the back of her mind - uncertainty, maybe? Whatever it was, it made her take her time navigating back to her rooms - and since when did Colette Hasting wait on anybody anyways? Let the bloody rogue wait for her! She needed to be in control, not waiting around helplessly! So she drank another vial of zinc, fidgeted with her shawl again, and made her slow, measured, careful way back towards the lift.

She just had to have patience. As long as she did, everything would fall neatly into place.

[Caden Hasting]

Knowing Colette would be watching the main gates of Keep Hasting, Caden entered the Hasting grounds through the back entrance the servants used to accept deliveries. Thankfully, the guard on duty was one of his, so he left the two horses and Dennison in his care with strict instructions to discretely stable the horses and see to Dennison's injuries.

Already planning his next move, though he wanted nothing more than to collapse in his bed, Caden snuck over to the barracks where he met another of his supporters. With a Hasting uniform hiding his ballroom dress, which was already less distinctive without the coat he had left with Eliza, and a hat low on his brow, Caden managed to make it up to his chambers without being recognized.

Part of Caden wanted to confront Colette immediately and get things over with, but he knew he would feel more confident facing her if he was comfortable and together. He swapped his clothing for something fresh form his armoir--just day clothing which he could dress himself in--ran a comb and some water through his hair, and added a little cologne to hide the scent of the horses. It was impossible to completely control the situation when Colette was involved, so it felt good to control the little things he could.

While he would have preferred to have a servant help him dress so he could be perfectly made up in ballroom attire when facing Colette, Caden knew he didn't have not much time to spare if he wanted to surprise Colette. Indeed, by not going straight to her, he had already risked her finding out about his return.

Caden gently coaxed one last stray hair into place, and selected one of his finest, and sturdiest, dueling canes. He was ready. All right, let's do this.

Exiting his chambers, Caden strode forcefully down the hall. At the late hour, the halls were relatively unoccupied, though he did encounter several servants and guards. If any were Collette's spies, to their credit, they did not show any surprise at seeing Caden.

A guard, one of Collette's stood at attention at the end of one of the indoor walkways connecting the main keep to the outer towers. Beyond, Caden could see Colette wrapped in a shawl, gazing out the walkway's window towards the main gate.

Caden noticed a slight widening of the guard's eyes as he approached. "Lord Caden!" the guard spoke loudly, no doubt intending to alert his mistress. "I believe Lady Colette would prefer some solitude at the moment. I can ask her secretary to book you an appointment in the morn . . . urgh." The guard cut off as Caden rammed his duelling cane forcefully into his stomach. With another careful swipe, Caden swept the guard's legs out from under him, dropping him to the floor, and joined his cousin on the walkway.

"Good evening, cousin."

[Colette Hasting]

The night stretched on, and still there were no signs of Jasun anywhere. What was that buffoon doing? Had he decided to go on a celebratory jaunt with Lysette before reporting back to her? Or had he simply gotten scared and backed out? A shame, if that were the case; she'd given him one simple job and he couldn't even do that. Well, it just went to show how useless a tool he really would have been.

Eventually, finally, she heard them. Footsteps, echoing purposefully down the hallway, coming toward her. That would be one of her men, come to let her know that Jasun was--

"Lord Caden!"

What.

An empty pit formed in Colette's stomach, as if she'd missed a stair and was now falling. She clutched her shawl tightly around her and tried to school her face to an appropriately relieved and concerned expression, but even she couldn't stop the blood from draining from it. She turned, slower than she would have liked, just in time to come face to face with Caden, the crumpled figure of her watchman barely visible on the floor where he'd been dropped.

"Good evening, cousin."

He knew.

He wouldn't have worn that suit to the ball; he hadn't even been wearing it when he left earlier. It was freshly pressed, and his hair was damp, as if he'd just straightened it. But aside the efforts he'd gone to to make this a deliberate conversation, as soon as she met his eyes, she knew. He knew what she'd done, what she'd tried to do, and now--

No. No, it might not be over yet. She didn't know that for sure, and she couldn't give herself away now. So she let that mask of relief and concern wash over her, burned zinc, and stepped forward with outstretched arms. She reached for his emotions at the same time, looking to Pull on any loose threads of doubt, uncertainty, or insecurity that could possibly make him doubt himself, or even open up any holes in his defenses that she could worm through.

"Oh, Caden! Thank the Lord Ruler you're finally home! I've been waiting up all night for you!"

[Caden Hasting]

Caden raised an eyebrow at Colette's false show of concern. Did she really think she could deceive him? Was she truly arrogant enough to believe that she could fool him with that act after spending years making his existence a living nightmare?

"I am sure you were, though I suspect you were hoping I would show up a little differently than I am. Would you be so kind as to dismiss your attendants so we can speak privately? I think we both know we have sensitive matters to discuss. Besides, one of your guards seems to have taken a bit of a fall, and could probably do with an early rest to recover."