Catherine gestured toward the dining room, and they moved through the archway into a space that managed to be both elegant and intimate.

The table was set with understated luxury... crystal glasses, silverware that probably cost more than most people's monthly rent. But what caught Alex's attention was the woman standing beside the table, making final adjustments to the arrangement.

Amanda.

Mid-thirties, dark hair pulled back in a professional bun, wearing what looked like a tailored uniform that somehow managed to be both practical and refined.

She looked up as they entered, and her expression shifted to something warm and welcoming.

Victoria practically lit up.

"Amanda!" she said, moving forward with genuine enthusiasm. "This is Alex — you should have already met."

Amanda smiled, extending her hand.

"Mr. Hale," she said, voice carrying that particular blend of professionalism and warmth that marked truly excellent staff. "It's a pleasure to meet you properly."

Alex shook her hand, impressed by the firm grip.

"Just Alex, please," he said. "And thank you for the clothes. Everything fit perfectly."

"I'm glad to hear it," Amanda replied, and there was genuine satisfaction in her voice. "Miss Blackwood has very exacting standards. I do my best to meet them."

Catherine moved to the head of the table, gesturing for Alex and Victoria to take seats on either side of her.

"Amanda's been with me for more than five years," Catherine said as they settled in. "She handles everything from wardrobe coordination to meal planning to making sure the manor runs smoothly when I'm traveling. I'd be lost without her."

"You're too kind, Miss Blackwood," Amanda said, though she looked pleased.

"I'm accurate," Catherine corrected. "There's a difference."

Amanda inclined her head slightly, then gestured to the spread before them.

"Dinner is ready whenever you are. I'll be nearby if you need anything."

She withdrew with practiced grace, leaving the three of them alone.

Victoria reached for the wine Catherine had poured earlier, raising her glass.

"To excellent staff," she said.

"And to excellent company," Catherine added, meeting Alex's eyes.

They drank, and then the food commanded their attention.

For a while, there was comfortable silence broken only by the quiet sounds of eating and the occasional murmur of appreciation. The chicken was perfectly prepared... crispy skin, tender meat, seasoned with herbs Alex couldn't quite identify but that tasted incredible. The sides were equally impressive, each dish clearly made with care and expertise.

Alex found himself relaxing in a way he hadn't expected. The afternoon had been intense... physically, emotionally, in every possible way. But this... this was different. Easy. Like sitting down to dinner with people who actually mattered, rather than performing some social obligation.

Victoria and Catherine kept up light conversation, discussing mundane things... an upcoming event, some political maneuvering within House Blackwood. Nothing heavy. Nothing that required Alex to be "on."

He listened, contributed occasionally, and mostly just enjoyed the food and the company.

It felt... normal.

Which was absurd, given that he was having dinner with both Blackwood womem after an afternoon that had redefined several aspects of his life.

But somehow, it worked.

Eventually, plates were cleared. Glasses refilled. The urgency of hunger satisfied.

Amanda appeared as if summoned by telepathy, clearing the table with efficient care that suggested years of practice. She worked quietly, professionally, removing dishes and arranging things with the kind of attention to detail that spoke to genuine pride in her work.

When she'd finished, she withdrew again, leaving them with fresh wine and the comfortable atmosphere of a meal well-enjoyed.

Catherine leaned back in her chair, swirling wine in her glass with a thoughtful expression. She studied Alex for a long moment, and he could practically see the calculations happening behind her eyes.

"So, Alex," she said finally, tone casual but weighted with genuine curiosity. "What realm are you?"

The question hung in the air.

Victoria shot him a look... encouraging, supportive, trusting that he'd handle this properly.

Alex met Catherine's gaze steadily.

"Enhanced Realm," he said. "Early stage."

For the first time, Catherine looked genuinely taken aback.

"Enhanced?" she echoed, eyebrows lifting. "At your age?"

She studied him more closely now... not appraising, but reassessing.

"That's… rare," she said slowly. "Most people don't reach Enhanced until much later. And you..." a faint, knowing smile touched her lips, "...you don't move like someone who just got there."

She took a sip of wine, eyes never leaving his.

"Then again," she added softly, "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. You're clearly not ordinary."

The words carried weight... acknowledgment more than flattery.

A brief pause.

Then her expression sharpened, curiosity turning precise.

"But that does raise another question," Catherine continued. "Seraphine."

Alex remained silent.

Catherine leaned forward slightly.

"She's Apex level. That information is tightly held... most of my household doesn't know, and Even Adrian doesn't." Her eyes narrowed just a fraction.

"So how did you recognize her? An Early Enhanced shouldn't have been able to sense anything at all."

She held his gaze steadily.

"That's what I'd really like to hear."

Alex said nothing, waiting.

He didn't answer right away.

He considered her question carefully... how much truth to give, how much to withhold. He couldn't tell her about the system or Lilith. Not yet.

His gaze flicked briefly to Victoria. She was watching him now, curiosity clear in her expression, trusting him to explain.

Alex turned back to Catherine and allowed a faint smile to form.

"I have a skill," he said simply. "One that lets me read cultivation realms. Accurately. And without much effort.""

A small pause.

"It also lets me conceal my own."

Catherine stared at him.

"A skill," she repeated. "For sensing realms… while concealing your own."

Her gaze sharpened, interest clearly piqued.

"Even Seraphine couldn't sense you properly," Catherine continued. "She mentioned it to me... said your energy signature felt strange. Muted, somehow."

"That's..." She paused, searching for words. "That's incredibly rare. Useful beyond measure."

Victoria was grinning now, clearly enjoying Catherine's rare moment of being genuinely surprised.

Catherine set her wine glass down with deliberate care.

"Show me how it works," she said, a hint of anticipation slipping into her voice. "Tell me what you sense."

Alex looked at her properly, letting his perception focus the way it did when the system provided information. He didn't actually need to... the system had already told him when they first met. But the pause added weight to the moment.

"Late Peak Enhanced," he said. "Very close to breaking through to Apex, actually. Maybe within the next few months if you push for it."

Catherine's breath caught.

The accuracy clearly shocked her, because there was no way he could have gotten that specific without genuine sensing ability.

"That's... exact," she said quietly. "Down to the timeline." She stared at him with something close to awe. "You're not just special, Alex. You're genuinely unique. I've never heard of a sensing ability that precise, especially not in someone at Early Enhanced realm."

She reached across the table, fingers finding his.

"You continue to surprise me," she said, and there was genuine warmth in her voice now. "In the best possible ways."

Alex squeezed her hand gently, appreciating the acknowledgment.

The moment stretched, comfortable and warm.

Then Catherine's attention shifted to Victoria, and her expression turned slightly exasperated... though affection undercut the frustration.

"Speaking of realms," Catherine said, "This woman here continues to be the most stubborn woman I've ever met."

Victoria raised her wine glass in mock salute.

"Thank you."

"That wasn't a compliment," Catherine replied, though she was smiling. "I've offered her resources — access, support, everything someone would need to advance safely and efficiently."

She gestured at Victoria with her wine glass.

"And she refuses. Every single time. Insists on remaining a normal human."

Victoria shrugged, unrepentant.

"I like being human," she said simply. "No complications. No politics tied to cultivation advancement. Just... me."

Catherine shook her head, though fondness was clear in her expression.

"You realize you're going to age, right? Get old. While Alex and I remain young and vital for decades longer." She turned to Alex with a wicked smile. "Don't worry though. When Victoria's old and a bag of bones, I'll still enjoy my time with our Alex."

Victoria opened her mouth to respond, but Alex spoke first.

"Don't worry about her," he said, voice calm and utterly confident. "I have special things prepared for Victoria."

Both women turned to look at him.

Catherine's eyebrow arched.

"Special things?"

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