 Bathes in Maple Syrup | Dancing Lobster | Moy Pomidor | Seneca's Beard | That Is So Fetch!
Étienne caught Jonathan's glance around the room and had to fight the urge to laugh. "Exactly," he said, lowering his voice once the performance had served its purpose. "Any hypothetical theft discussion should remain entirely hypothetical."
As for the artefacts in the display cases, Étienne's attention returned to them briefly.
"A great deal of time, yes," he admitted without embarrassment. "Although some are easier than others. As for which interests me most..." He considered the question carefully. "The objects nobody fully understands anymore. The artefacts with incomplete records. Missing instructions. Contradictory theories. Anyone can read a textbook explanation; I prefer mysteries."
A faint smile appeared.
"Jonathan, you already attend a château, possess excellent hair, and spend your afternoons wandering dramatically through the corridors contemplating your future." A beat passed. "The title of 'brokenhearted French prince' seems largely ceremonial at this point."
His expression then turned thoughtfully serious. "Interrupted my scheming? An interesting assumption." The warmth behind the dry remark softened the teasing. "I admit it's a slow-moving criminal enterprise, but, if I wanted uninterrupted solitude, I wouldn't have offered you the seat."
The concern in Jonathan's voice earned a more sympathetic look.
"Of course I think so. People our age are surrounded by selective reporting. Nobody walks around announcing they have absolutely no idea what they're doing." A small shrug followed. "What they don't announce are the moments spent staring at a wall wondering whether they're chasing a mirage. It's easy to—"
The sudden rotation of the chair caused Étienne to stop mid-thought. His eyes followed Jonathan's first complete turn. Then the second. For several seconds, he simply stared.
"I believe we've identified at least one career path: professional chair-spinner." The deadpan delivery lasted approximately two seconds before amusement crept into his expression.
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