"Alfred, wake up. Alfred," Edgar tapped the sleeping man who was no doubt waiting for him to return home. "A maid broke your special plates for when Tobias has-"
"What!" Alfred's eyes flew open. "How many were broken? Edgar, did you return just now? What time is it?"
"Too late for you to still be awake and shouldn't it be my wife who is patiently waiting to see me return?" Edgar looked up the stairs expecting to see Alessandra magically coming down as if she sensed his presence.
"The duchess has retired to her bed. I assured her I would stay awake until you returned home. Shall I have your dinner warmed up?" Alfred sat up from his chair.
"There's no need to bother the cook now-"
