Evelyn squirmed beneath Penelope’s weight. Evelyn's cheek were red while staring at Peneleope.

“Keep it down!” Penelope said while pinning her down with surprising strength. One hand holding both of Evelyn’s hand above her head while the other hand covered her mouth .

“We can’t ruin the surprise, remember?”

Evelyn glared at her through narrowed eyes, muffled protests escaping past Penelope’s fingers.

“Sigh.“

Finally, Penelope relented slightly, loosening her grip just enough for Evelyn to speak.

“How can I stay quiet!?” Evelyn snapped under her breath,

“This is remarkable! Vay—, I mean Aric has been going around asking for favours left and right since he woke up. He’s practically turned Ashwick upside-down preparing for this!”

Penelope rolled her eyes, “That's exactly why we’re keeping it a secret. You know how these things work! He didn’t want anyone ruining the element of surprise and he kept it from you, Kayla and her grace.”

“But why hide it from me? I’ve been helping him since he was in the coma. I oversee projects, handle finances… Doesn’t that count for something? Why wouldn’t he trust me with this?”

“Well, for starters,” she began calmly, ticking off points on her fingers while still being on top of her,

“it’s Lady Seraphina’s birthday. And second…”

She paused, raising an eyebrow pointedly. “…you’re her right-hand woman. If there’s anyone who’d spill the beans without meaning to, it’s you.”

Evelyn opened her mouth to protest but stopped short, her cheeks flushing faintly as realization dawned.

I… do get a little too excited sometimes. Maybe I’ve slipped once. Or twice. Or— ugh.

“So you knew all along?” Evelyn asked, “And you didn’t think to tell me because…?”

Penelope shrugged nonchalantly, “Because Aric specifically asked me not to. Besides, considering how nosy we’ve been lately, sneaking around town with Lady Seraphina and all, I figured it was safer to keep my lips sealed.”

Evelyn groaned softly, sinking back onto the bed in defeat.

“Fine! Now can you please get off me? You're heavy!”

Penelope laughed, finally climbing off Evelyn and settling onto the edge of the bed beside her.

Evelyn rubbed her wrists dramatically. “What do you eat, rocks?”

“Mostly meat. Lord Aric says I should eat more because of my job.”

Evelyn scoffed, “…Tch. You’re lucky I don’t swing that way.”

Penelope tilted her head playfully, “Who says I don’t?”

Evelyn was caught off guard from that joke. Penelope chuckled and lean in.

“Relax. I’m kidding.” she said, voice low and warm. “Unless…”

“Penelope!”

“Okay, okay!” She threw her hands up in surrender, laughing as Evelyn shoved her with a pillow.

“It was all jokes okay? I want to sleep now. Can you turn off the fan? The air conditioner is already cold enough.”

Evelyn rolled her eyes in annoyance, “Ugh. Goodnight, pene.”

Penelope grinned, already pulling the blanket over herself. “Sweet dreams, Eve.”