Alexandros was as stubborn as a mule, insisting to no end on the patisserie. They had no choice but to go, walking past an orderly line of hopeful guests. Hildebrand stole glances at the patient yet uncomfortable faces that stared back at her. It was impossible for people to be equal, after all. That inequality was something she hated as a child but enjoyed as the Saintess. She expected Hugo to have some biting remark for her, but he said nothing even as they entered.

Hildebrand could feel the prying eyes of young ladies, looking for the latest news that would become the hottest piece of gossip among the aristocrats. Surely it would be about the holy woman who was spotted with the Hero and the two sons of the Legato family. Just the thought made her stomach uneasy.

Hildebrand could hardly eat the decorative pastries before her. Not just because of the attention, but because the sweets were too sweet. And to make matters worse, they reeked of floral infusions that left Hildebrand’s tongue confused.

“Is it not to your liking?” Alexandros asked.

“I don’t think I could bring myself to eat these works of art,” Hildebrand answered.

“A little rich for you?” asked Hugo. He was too amused at his own joke. His nostrils flared and his head bobbed every time he laughed with his mouth shut tight.

You’re such an ass, Hildebrand thought. But she found herself smirking at his remark.

Alexandros smirked and stood up.

“I’ll find something more suitable,” he said.

Hildebrand stared at Greg, thinking Why couldn’t you be like that? He was never one to read between the lines.

“Excuse me, Lady Hildebrand. Is there something on my face?”

“No, no,” Hildebrand said. “I was just thinking how you’re just like your brother.”

“Me?” he asked. “I’m like Alexandros?” He almost sounded offended.

“In another life,” Hugo interjected. “Maybe.”

This time, Hildebrand couldn’t help but openly snicker along with Hugo at Greg’s confused expense.

Now the boot’s on the other foot, thought Hildebrand. A small revenge for all the laughs Greg shared with Hugo at her expense, which weren’t actually all that many in hindsight. Thinking about how different Greg was now killed her good mood. But it did make her curious.

“Are you happy, Greg?” Hildebrand asked. She added, “—orius,” after a short pause. “Are you happy, Sir Gregorius?” she repeated, correcting her mistakes.

He wondered for a while, tilting his head back and forth. “I suppose so,” was his answer.

“…” Hildebrand asked, “What do you think would make you happier?”

“A little excitement couldn’t hurt,” he said.

“Excitement?” Hildebrand asked. “May I know what kind?”

“I don’t know,” Greg said. “Well, it’s nothing you need to concern yourself with Lady Hildebrand, I’m content as it is.”

Greg wore a gentle, eerie smile. It didn’t annoy her so much as it unsettled her. It was an expression that was out of place. Hildebrand realized it was the same as the one she wore, the kind that Greg would never wear.

“Greg,” said Hildebrand. The veneer of the Saintess was peeling away. Her voice deepened ever so slightly and betrayed her annoyance and concern. “Your family doesn’t… abuse you, right?”

“Of course not,” he answered. His voice, sharp as a dagger, matched his disturbed stare. “They’re very loving.” He thought for a moment. “They can be a little suffocating.”

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“But you love your brother? And your father?”

Greg huffed quietly. “These questions are inappropriate, Lady Hildebrand. But yes, I love my family very much.”

“Then why?” asked Hildebrand. “Why are you wearing that expression?”

Greg smiled like a doll. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Hildebrand sneered and grabbed his face, squeezing his cheeks. “I mean this,” she growled. “Anyone could see this is fake.”

“Hey!” The clatter of a metal tray announced Alexandros’s return. He swiftly grabbed Hildebrand’s wrist and, though he wasn’t trying to be rough, he still pulled her hand so fast he twisted it in his powerful grip.

Hildebrand winced, but she understood. And yet she still thought, He’s a man without an ounce of delicacy. He was at least as strong as the monstrous Hugo. If Hugo hadn’t caught Alexandros’s arm in his own grip, Hildebrand felt Alexandros might have accidentally twisted her arm off.

Alexandros let go upon realizing his actions, but there wasn’t even a hint of regret in his dark blue eyes.

“I apologize for being rough,” he said. “But Gregorius—my brother isn’t someone you can touch like that.” Alexandros’s brows were furrowed with a restrained rage.

For that brief moment, he looked so much like the real Greg that Hildebrand couldn’t help but wonder, Is this man really Alexandros, not Greg?

“My apologies,” Hildebrand said. But she thought, How touchy…

Alexandros raised a brow in suspicion. “I’m beginning to see the demon Hugo mentioned, Lady Hildebrand.” The man protectively placed his arm across Greg’s back. “I believe it’s time we parted ways.”

When everyone stepped out into the street, it was eerily quiet. Silent. The silence continued, and it stretched eerily onto eternity. All eyes were on Hugo and Alexandros, who locked predatory eyes, like beasts sizing each other up.

Only Alexandros's troubled grunt broke the silence. It was followed by a short and quiet conversation between the two Legato brothers.

“Lady Hildebrand,” Alexandros called. “I really do apologize for my crude behavior. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have handled a lady with such rough hands. Or a vulgar tongue. I overreacted to a joke between friends.” He placed his hand over his heart as he bowed slightly. A sign of his sincerity.

Hildebrand stared at the man, and then at his younger brother, who quietly stared back at her.

“I understand if you won’t accept my apology, but I’ll make it up to you,” Alexandros said.

“I accept your apology,” Hildebrand said. I was just thinking how you’re so much like Greg, she thought.

“Quick to anger, and even quicker to apologize,” Hugo said, as if he could read Hildebrand’s mind.

“Apologize? Not to you. Never,” Alexandros grumbled.

Hugo chuckled and dismissed Alexandros like a pest. “Whatever, playboy,” he said. “Beat it already.”

Hildebrand tapped Hugo’s belly, as if telling him, “Don’t be rude!”

She nodded to the brothers and waved them off, but she couldn’t keep her eyes off the quiet and taciturn Greg.

Hugo leaned over to Hildebrand and whispered in her ear like a speaker for her own doubt, “That isn’t Greg, you know. Not really.”

“What? It is…” Hildebrand said.

Hugo simply stared back at Hildebrand, but she could see the words, “Prove it,” on his closed lips.

Hildebrand grumbled quietly under her breath and called out, “Wait!” She begrudgingly held her arms up and open.

“Ooh,” Alexandros cooed, stepping forward. “An angel after all.”

“Not you,” Hildebrand snapped.

Alexandros sighed, but then brightened up. He slapped Greg’s back, thrusting him forward. “Go to her!”

Greg looked back at Alexandros, then at Hildebrand, and then at Hugo, before returning to Hildebrand. Slowly, but steadily, his smiling mask broke into a frown, then a grimace.

The Greg Hildebrand knew, even if she didn’t know him well, would never turn down a hug from her, or any woman with an ample bosom, no matter how little he knew them. His heart was untouchable, but not his body, or so she heard.

“Allow me to apologize, Sir Gregorius,” Hildebrand said, opening her arms wider.

“I accept your apology,” Greg said, turning his shoulder to Hildebrand. “There’s no need for you to do”—he gestured at Hildebrand—"whatever this is.”

“B-but.” Hildebrand shook her arms, encouraging him to come into her embrace.

“Let’s go,” Hugo said, placing his hand on Hildebrand’s shoulder to lead her away.

“Thank you for stopping by,” Greg said. “Farewell my friend.”

Hugo stopped and turned, and he opened his arms slowly. Like it was instinct, Greg ran up and embraced him like they were long-lost brothers.

What the hell? thought Hildebrand. But another thought softened her annoyance. That’s more like it.

“It was great to see you,” said Hugo. Hildebrand could tell he was getting teary-eyed even though he hid his eyes behind long locks. Despite his prickly exterior, Hugo was a big baby.

“Likewise, Hugo,” said Greg. “Don’t be a stranger.”

Hugo didn’t answer. He simply patted Greg’s back. It was the quiet gesture of a man who hadn’t seen his friend in ages and would not see his friend again.

Hugo let go and returned to Hildebrand’s side. “Let’s go see Yuna,” he said.

“That was the plan,” Hildebrand said.

“Don’t come back!” Alexandros said with a cheeky grin. “Hugo, I mean. Lady Hildebrand is always welcome at House Legato!”

Hildebrand fought the urge to stick her tongue out at Alexandros, but she did it anyway while bowing to the noble brothers. Hopefully, they didn’t notice. Alexandros waved, and she waved back, but Hugo and Greg had already turned their backs.

Hildebrand couldn’t ease the unsettling sensation in the pit of her stomach, and it wasn’t from the floral scented pastries. It was just a dreadful feeling.