Chapter 160: Priceless Things
The afternoon sun stretched lazily across the marble floors of Maison de Corcelle, gilding the grand salon in honeyed light. The scent of jasmine wafted through open windows, carried on a warm breeze from the gardens. Somewhere distant, birds chirped as if announcing the return of royalty.
Eva stepped through the arched doorway like a queen returning from war — if war involved haute couture, antique bookstores, and one extremely confused harp merchant.
Trailing behind her, Seraphina carried three bags in each hand, trying not to drop the slim gold - wrapped parcel nestled between her elbow and her ribs. Their helper, Jacques, had already disappeared upstairs with the bulk of Eva's purchases, his expression somewhere between admiration and mild trauma.
"Did we… buy an entire arrondissement?" Seraphina asked, breathless as she deposited her load onto the velvet settee.
Eva blinked innocently, smoothing her navy dress with a flourish. "Not the entire arrondissement. Just the meaningful bits."
From the side staircase, Briony appeared, drawn by the rustle of bags and the distinct aura of extravagance. She stopped mid-step and whistled.
"Mon dieu," (My God, ) she muttered. "You left a genius and came back with a fashion tornado."
Eva beamed. "A fashionable genius tornado."
"Oh, absolutely," Briony said, walking into the room and poking at one of the designer bags. "What's this? Did P•••• survive?"
"Barely," Seraphina said under her breath.
Evelyn and Vivienne entered a moment later, both of them elegant in silk loungewear, sipping chilled tea from crystal tumblers. They paused, taking in the mountain of shopping bags and the two girls in the center of it all — Eva glowing, Seraphina disheveled.
Vivienne was the first to speak.
"I see you've looted every boutique from here to the Seine."
Eva curtsied dramatically. "For art. For love. For… P••••."
Evelyn chuckled, sweeping a strand of hair behind her ear. "How many assistants fainted when they saw the card?"
"Oh, just one," Seraphina said dryly. "And I think the manager had a small existential crisis."
"I had help," Eva said primly, walking over to a stack of parcels she'd personally arranged. "And anyway, it was my first we'll second real shopping date without a single adult to chaperone. Just me and Seraphina."
Vivienne raised an eyebrow. "Is that why you bought enough silk to swathe Versailles?"
"No," Eva said, grinning. "That was for her."
She turned to Seraphina and held out a parcel. Slim. Wrapped in deep blue tissue and tied with a golden ribbon.
Seraphina hesitated. "Eva…"
"Open it."
With everyone watching, Seraphina undid the ribbon and peeled back the paper to reveal a soft leather - bound book, embossed in gold: Mythes et Légendes des Déesses Anciennes. Inside, pressed like a secret, was a note:
For you, Ina. Because you are every kind of goddess and I want to learn them all, with you.
Seraphina stared at the inscription, then looked up. Her throat worked silently before she managed, "I — Eva, this is…"
"Just one," Eva interrupted, cheerfully. "There's more."
"More?" Briony whispered. "Oh, she's terrifying when she's like this."
Eva handed out gifts like a master of ceremony. To Maman Evelyn, a rare silk scarf hand - painted with a celestial motif. "Because you carry the sky with you," she said.
To Aunt Vivienne, a set of rare I•••••• perfume oils and an antique F••••• brooch shaped like an iris. "Because you are mystery and elegance and this reminded me of your voice."
Vivienne actually blinked. "Well. I stand corrected. She hasn't just been shopping. She's been plotting."
Briony received a vintage compass necklace and a signed first edition of a book on psychology and performance strategy. "So you never get lost — even in your own head," Eva said.
"I love it," Briony murmured, startled.
"And Papa's gift is already on its way," Eva added. "And he's going to cry when he sees it, but in a very composed, F••••• way."
"Should we be worried?" Evelyn asked lightly.
"No, but maybe prepare a glass of Bordeaux," Eva said.
"And what about the harp?" Vivienne asked suddenly, eyes narrowing. "Jacques said he almost fainted when he saw the invoice."
Eva's expression turned radiant. "Ah. The harp."
Everyone turned to look at her. Even Seraphina froze, eyebrows lifting in slow horror.
"You bought that harp?" Seraphina blurted. "The one that looked like it belonged in a moon palace?"
"It's made from Alpine crystal and diamond thread," Eva said proudly. "It was originally crafted for the Queen of B•••••• in the 1800s. It has no twin. And it's in perfect condition."
"How much?" Vivienne asked, voice dangerously sweet.
Eva smiled like a diplomat. "It's priceless."
"That's not an answer," Briony said, eyes wide.
"It is when it comes to art," Eva said. "Besides, it called to me. I saw it, and it felt like it had been waiting for me. Like a whisper in the back of my mind saying home."
"It whispered in diamond?" Seraphina muttered.
Eva nodded gravely. "It sings in moonlight."
There was a pause.
Then Evelyn laughed, rich and melodic. "I knew we were raising a poet."
Vivienne rolled her eyes fondly. "You are entirely insufferable and impossible. And I hope you never change."
Briony was still staring at the harp invoice. "I hope your accountant has a therapist."
"I bought everyone else gifts too," Eva said defensively. "This was just one item."
"And all the books?" Evelyn asked, eyeing a separate stack that had already been boxed for shipping.
"Shipped directly to the Ainsley estate in N•••••," Eva said. "I need a proper library to study from. I have plans."
"What kind of plans?" Seraphina asked, curious despite herself.
Eva gave her a secretive smile. "Big ones. But I'll need your help."
"You always have it," Seraphina said without thinking.
The moment stretched — sweet and taut like the last note of a sonata.
Vivienne cleared her throat. "Well, I'll say it. This is the most romantic reunion of children I've ever seen."
"I second that," Briony added.
"Thirded," Evelyn said with a smirk. "And it's good to see Eva acting like a normal seven - year - old for once."
"I'm not normal," Eva corrected serenely. "I'm exceptional. But I still like snacks and shopping."
They all laughed.
Later, after the gifts had been admired, the receipts jokingly threatened with incineration, and the velvet boxes tucked away in drawers, the girls slipped upstairs. The evening lull settled over the house, quiet and golden, and in Eva's suite, time seemed to slow.
Eva stirred slowly, warm and boneless in the hush of the room. Her face was tucked against the crook of Seraphina's neck, the faint perfume of bergamot and sunlight lingering there like a secret. Her lashes fluttered, and she blinked into focus — then flushed furiously.
She was still straddling Seraphina's lap.
"I — sorry!" she squeaked, trying to scramble off, her legs tangled in silk and pride.
But Seraphina didn't move to let her. She just smirked.
"You always fall asleep on top of me," she said mildly, brushing a strand of Eva's hair back behind her ear. "Are you planning to make it a tradition?"
"I was tired!" Eva insisted, clearly mortified. "And warm. And — you were comfy! And — stop smirking!"
Seraphina didn't.
Eva gave an offended pout. "You're not allowed to be smug when I'm being adorable."
"You're not just adorable," Seraphina said, tone indulgent. "You're clingy. Like a sleepy little koala in couture."
"I'm not —" Eva started, then paused, tilted her head, and narrowed her eyes. "Fine. If you're going to be rude, I demand more kisses. To compensate for the emotional damage."
Seraphina raised a brow. "You fell asleep on me."
"And yet I'm the one who's emotionally bruised," Eva said with theatrical grievance. "It's outrageous."
She leaned in, hands still looped around Seraphina's neck. "I want forehead, cheeks, and lips. Minimum. Possibly more. I'm fragile."
Seraphina rolled her eyes affectionately. "You're unbearable."
"I'm bearable if you kiss me," Eva whispered, lips already nudging closer.
And Seraphina did. First, a slow press to the forehead, then two gentle kisses along each flushed cheek. Finally, a soft, barely - there brush against Eva's lips — delicate and easy and fond.
Eva melted.
Again.
She sighed, arms tightening for a moment before she shifted off Seraphina's lap and stretched catlike on the velvet chaise.
"Mmm," she murmured. "Okay. I forgive you. Let's go downstairs before I kiss you again and make it everyone's problem."
Two days later, the estate was abuzz with quiet preparations as trunks were loaded into the cars. The private Ainsley jet waited at L• B••••••, its interior already fitted with new silk pillows, monogrammed snacks, and a stack of books Seraphina suspected had been couriered there just for Eva's reading pleasure.
The girls boarded first, with Eva climbing the steps like she was ascending to O••••••.
Seraphina lingered for a moment, watching the staff move in efficient silence.
She remembered the first jet that had brought her here — it had been different. Sleek, yes. Luxurious, of course. But not the same. Not this tail number. Not these finishes.
There were more jets. More than one.
She filed that thought away in the quiet part of her mind, the part that catalogued Eva's hair preferences, favorite tea blends, and every phrase she whispered when she was sleepy.
Beside her, Eva leaned close, slipping her hand into Seraphina's. "We should get a jet one day."
Seraphina looked down. "We?"
"When we're older," Eva said confidently. "When we travel. Just us."
"You think we'll still be traveling together?"
Eva looked genuinely confused. "Of course we will. I'm not going anywhere unless you're there."
A flush crept up Seraphina's neck. "I'll need to get a very good job, then."
"You'll be brilliant at anything," Eva said firmly. "But if it helps — when I grow up, I'll spoil you."
Seraphina grinned, trying to play it off. "Spoil me?"
"Oh yes," Eva said, squeezing her hand. "Rotten."
Seraphina turned to look at her.
And in that perfect silence, 30,000 feet above the world, she whispered, "Then I suppose I'll have to earn every one of your kisses."
Eva's smile was slow, luminous. "You already do."