Chapter 71: Traces
Sunlight filtered through the gaps of the silk curtains that were not quite closed. The rays landed directly on Agatha's eyelids, forcing her to wake up. She groaned softly as she tried to move her body. A dull ache immediately settled into her entire frame, especially around her waist. She remembered how Xavier had not allowed her to close her eyes until the sky began to change color.
Agatha turned to her side. That part of the bed was already empty, though the sheets still held a lingering warmth. The sound of splashing water from the bathroom told her that her husband had woken up first.
She sat up slowly while pulling the duvet to cover her body. Her eyes landed on the black gown lying on the floor, looking like a helpless pile of fabric. A few minutes later, the bathroom door opened. Xavier stepped out with a towel wrapped around his waist. His hair was damp, and droplets of water ran down his broad chest.
"You are awake, darling," Xavier said. He walked toward the large wardrobe without taking his eyes off Agatha.
"What time is it?" Agatha asked. Her voice was still raspy.
"Almost nine. Mother has already asked about us twice through the servants," Xavier replied. He took out a clean shirt and began to put it on.
Agatha massaged her forehead. "Your mother will definitely keep teasing us throughout breakfast."
Xavier turned, the corner of his lips lifting slightly. "That is a certainty. You know how she is."
"This is your fault, Xavier. If you had not been so stubborn last night, we might have been able to go down earlier," Agatha muttered.
Agatha got out of bed. She walked toward the large mirror in the corner of the room. As soon as she saw her reflection, she let out a long breath. On her white neck, there were several very clear crimson marks.
"Xavier! Look at this," Agatha exclaimed while pointing at her neck.
Xavier walked closer. He stood behind Agatha, staring at his wife's reflection in the mirror. He placed his hands on Agatha's shoulders, then leaned down to kiss the back of her neck gently.
"It looks good on you," Xavier said calmly.
"Good? I cannot go down like this. Mother will immediately know what we did," Agatha protested.
"She already knew since last night when she saw your lips, darling. Hiding it now will not change anything," Xavier countered.
"I still have to cover it. I do not want her discussing it in front of the servants," Agatha said firmly. She began to rummage through her wardrobe, looking for something with a high collar.
"Just wear a scarf if you feel uncomfortable," Xavier suggested.
"Inside the house? That will look even more suspicious. I will wear a silk shirt with a standing collar," Agatha said. She pulled a cream colored shirt from the hanger.
Xavier just watched his wife as she began to get ready with efficiency. "Hurry up. I will wait for you downstairs. Do not make Mother wait much longer."
"Wait, Xavier," Agatha called out as her husband was about to open the bedroom door.
"Yes?"
"Do not give any strange answers if she asks you anything," Agatha pleaded.
Xavier only gave a small nod before leaving the room.
Thirty minutes later, Agatha went down to the dining room. She wore the high collared silk shirt she had chosen, paired with wide leg trousers. Her hair was left loose to help cover the sides of her neck.
At the dining table, Melynda was already sitting elegantly while sipping her tea. Xavier sat across from her, cutting bread with a flat expression.
"Good morning, Mother," Agatha greeted as she took a seat beside Xavier.
Melynda put down her teacup. Her eyes immediately brightened upon seeing her daughter in law. "Good morning, dear. You look very beautiful this morning. But, why are you wearing such closed off clothes? Was the air conditioning in your room too cold last night?"
Agatha glanced at Xavier, who remained calm while chewing his bread. "A little, Mother. I feel a bit unwell because of the wind last night."
Melynda smiled meaningfully. "Ah, right. That naughty wind in Paris is indeed very strong. Xavier, why are you being so quiet? Did you not notice your wife was cold?"
Xavier looked up. "I gave her all the warmth I could last night, Mother. I thought that was enough."
Agatha choked on the water she had just sipped. She glared at Xavier, but the man simply handed her a tissue with a relaxed look.
"Xavier!" Agatha whispered softly.
Melynda laughed heartily. "Look at my son. Now he has learned how to answer back. Fine, I will not bother you two anymore. Eat plenty, you both need extra energy today."
"Is there an event today, Mother?" Agatha asked to change the subject.
"I want to take you to my favorite boutique this afternoon. There is a new collection that just arrived from Milan. But I doubt if Xavier will let you go out again after what happened last night," Melynda said while glancing at her son.
Xavier put down his knife. "She can go, as long as it is not in a dress with an open back."
"I will not wear a dress like that again, Xavier. You already ruined my hairpins last night, that is enough, unless you force me to dress like yesterday," Agatha said without realizing it.
The atmosphere at the dining table suddenly went silent. Melynda froze with her mouth slightly open, then her laughter broke out louder than before.
"Broken hairpins? Oh, Xavier, you truly inherited your father's impatient nature," Melynda said between laughs.
Agatha's face felt hot. She wanted to disappear from that place right then and there. She busied herself with taking some fried rice in front of her without daring to look at her mother in law.
"Can we have breakfast in peace?" Xavier asked in a mock cold tone.
"Sure, sure. I will be quiet," Melynda replied while wiping a tear from the corner of her eye from laughing too much.
After the situation calmed down a bit, a servant approached Xavier. He whispered something that made Xavier's facial expression immediately turn serious.
"What is it?" Agatha asked when she saw the change in her husband's expression.
"There is a call from the office. I have to go to the study for a moment," Xavier answered. He stood up and kissed Agatha's forehead briefly. "Mother, excuse me."
Xavier walked away hurriedly. Agatha watched her husband's back until he disappeared behind the large door leading to the study. A sense of unease suddenly surfaced in her heart.
"Do not worry too much, Agatha. Business is always like that," Melynda said, trying to soothe her.
"It seems this is not an ordinary business matter, Mother. His face looked very rigid," Agatha said.
"Xavier can always handle it. Now, finish your breakfast. We have to get ready to go this afternoon," Melynda invited.
Agatha nodded, but her mind was still on Xavier. She knew that behind the luxury of the Valois family, there were always the shadows of the organization lurking. She wondered if this matter had anything to do with Luigi.
An hour passed, and Agatha decided to follow Xavier to the study. When she reached the door, she heard Xavier's voice sounding angry.
"I do not care about the cost. Find the person who sent that message. Do not leave a single trace!" Xavier shouted from inside.
Agatha stood still in front of the door. She hesitated to knock.
"And make sure security around this house is tightened. Do not let Agatha know about this threat," Xavier continued.
Agatha's heart raced. A threat? Someone sending a message? She clenched her hand on the doorknob. She did not like it when Xavier started hiding things from her, especially when it concerned her safety.
Agatha took a deep breath, then knocked on the door slowly.
"Come in," Xavier's voice sounded flat again.
Agatha opened the door and entered. Xavier immediately closed his laptop and put his phone on the desk. He tried to soften his expression when he saw his wife.
"Did you bring me coffee?" Xavier asked.
"Yes. You did not finish your breakfast earlier," Agatha answered while placing the cup on the desk. She looked deep into Xavier's eyes. "Is there a serious problem?"
Xavier took a small sip of his coffee. "Just a small issue at the port logistics. It is not something you need to think about."
"Are you sure?" Agatha asked again.
"Yes. Why do you ask?"
Agatha walked toward Xavier's chair. She sat on the edge of the desk, looking at her husband from a close distance. "I heard your voice earlier. You mentioned a threat. Who is threatening us, Xavier?"
Xavier went silent. He put his cup back down. He knew there was no point in lying to a woman as sharp as Agatha.
"Just a bluff from an old competitor, Agatha. I am handling it," Xavier replied while holding Agatha's hand.
"An old competitor? Or is this about my family?" Agatha pushed.
Xavier pulled Agatha into his embrace. "Do not think about it. I already promised to protect you, did I not? Focus on your shopping plans with Mother. Let me take care of the rest."
Agatha rested her head on Xavier's shoulder. Even though Xavier tried to calm her down, she knew that the peace they felt last night might not last long. Their world was too dark to let the light in for too long.
"Promise me you will not do anything dangerous without telling me," Agatha whispered.
"I promise," Xavier said while kissing Agatha's hair.
But behind Agatha's back, Xavier's eyes stared sharply at his phone which lit up again, displaying a short message without a name on the screen.
"Time is almost up, Valois."
Xavier tightened his hug, as if he did not want to let Agatha out of his reach. The hot night and the confession of love on the hill now felt like the calm before a great storm hit their lives.