Charles turned the knob, ushering Denise to enter. With a nod, she crossed the threshold, finding herself enclosed as the doors quietly shut behind her. Her gaze settled upon Édouard, who occupied a seat at the center of a circular table. The room held only his presence; solitude pervaded the air.
Denise extended a formal greeting to Édouard, her demeanor exuding reverence as her eyes remained humbly cast downward.
"Kindly take a seat," Édouard graciously offered.
Denise approached and settled into the unoccupied chair positioned before Édouard. "I hadn't anticipated a meeting with His Grace. I presumed it would be Princess Charlotte who would receive me," she stated.
"Charlotte has expressed her reluctance to meet with you," Édouard responded. "I've been made aware of the events where she needed you at the time of Prince Mathieu's passing," he declared.
