Page 77 of Colton

“Emiliano has put in a lot of effort into this lunch,” Colton responds with a soft chuckle. “Besides, I didn’t bring you here just to hide you away in the room. Let’s go.”

He takes my hand, the warmth making me feel fuzzy on the inside as he leads me toward the dining room. I think I’m slowly getting the hang of the layout of the castle, and when I stop to think about it, it’s not that hard to keep up. It’s just new to me.

The dining room is as grand as I remember, table set for two. There’s a bouquet of pretty roses in the vase, and every single piece of cutlery is placed precisely. It looks like we’re about to have some grand, lavish dinner, and yet again, it makes me feel so out of place.

Why are there forks that are different sizes? I know which one’s for what just because I paid attention in History, and the nobility used to use it. It just proves how different our worlds are, because I have no idea why the hell he’d need more than one fork per meal.

Two glasses are there, already filled with water, one for each of us.

Colton lets go of my hand to pull a chair out for me, and I thank him with a smile when I sit down. He sits at the head of the table — obviously — still smiling at me. It’s silent for a moment, and the grand clock behind him says it’s five minutes till two o’clock.

From what I’ve learned about Emiliano, he’s punctual, and the meal will be right at two o’clock.

“We’ll head back to Saint Valley tomorrow at seven in the evening,” Colton says smoothly, and I nod. “What you can’t fit in your dorm of the clothes we got will be staying here. If you need anything, tell me, and someone will bring it to campus.”

I nod. “Thank you.”

“Alongside apologizing, you have to stop thanking me for every little thing.”

“It’s just basic manners, though?”

He sighs, exasperated, though a fond smile tugs at the corner of his lips. “Fine, fine.”

“Anyway,” I clear my throat. “How often do you come here from campus?” I ask, taking a sip of the water.

“Regularly,” he says. “It depends if I’m needed here. If not, I’ll come every weekend. I’m still the mayor of the town.”

I choke on the water and set the glass down harder than necessary. My eyes are as wide as saucers, my mouth dropping to the floor. There are no words to describe what I’m feeling. Is it shock? Surprise? Absolute bewilderment? It’s hard to tell.

“You’re what?!”

Colton blinks. “You didn’t know?”

“No, I didn’t know!” I say, voice rising a little. “When were you going to tell me?”

“Well, I thought it was common knowledge, so I assumed you were aware… so… never?”

Ah, forget everything I said about him. In the end, the arrogance of a white man is as strong as ever.

I’m still reeling from the shock, and the audacity of his response throws me off guard. It’s common sense, he says. My mind is trying to dig up any information about this, from the website I was reading to every talk I’ve had with Sophia about Colton. Did she also not know? Or did she also assume it’s common sense and failed to mention it?

“Wait,” I clear my throat. “Let me get this straight — you own multiple businesses, are the dean of the academy, and you’re the mayor?!”

“Pretty much,” he hums. “For what it’s worth, I own a hotel in Greece, too.”

My brain threatens to explode from the information overload. The clock strikes two, and Emiliano enters with a trolley, placing our meals in front of us. I manage a small thank you without breaking eye contact with Colton. Suddenly, I feel less hungry.

As soon as Emiliano’s out the door, I’m snapped back into reality.

“Do you ever sleep?” I ask, my voice full of perplexity. “Don’t tell me you’ll be running for the office, too.”

He snorts. “As if I’d ever want to lead this country. It’s dead as it is.”

I can’t really argue with that.

“Is there anything else I need to know about you that is on such a grand scale, Colton?”

“No,” he says. “Why? Are you angry with me?”