"Did he… live by himself all this time, even as a child?"
After a brief, heavy pause, Winston replied, "Yes, Madam."
"Then how did you come to work for him when there were no adults involved?" Aliana pressed curiously.
"I was called by Master Cillian's family to look after the master," Winston replied seamlessly.
"Oh…" This was news to Aliana.
Suddenly, the puzzle pieces began falling into place, and she finally understood why Cillian was always so comfortable and casual around Gavriel.
'They must be childhood friends,' she realised.
They resumed their walk, the silence returning until they stopped before a set of grand double doors.
Winston reached forward and opened them, revealing a massive dining room centred around a long table capable of hosting twenty people. Expansive windows lined one side of the room, while magnificent crystal chandeliers cast a warm, ambient glow across the space.
