The café Ronan chose was discreet.
Reinforced glass. Structural anchors beneath the floor. A visible security presence that pretended not to be obvious.
Vesper appreciated the practicality.
Ronan arrived early. That was point one in his favor.
He stood when she approached. That was point two.
"You made it," he said.
"I enjoy observing variables."
He smiled slightly. "I'm honored to be classified as one."
They ordered.
He didn't make a spectacle of paying.
Didn't comment on her power.
Didn't mention the Council vote.
Instead, he asked, "Did you always want molecular physics?"
She blinked.
"Yes."
"That's rare."
"Why?"
"Most Architect heirs I know were groomed for governance first. Science second."
She stirred her drink slowly.
"I wasn't groomed."
"I know."
He said it gently.
Not accusing.
Not prying.
Just acknowledging.
Across the street—
Aurelio walked by once.
Then again.
Then slowed near a stone façade like he was deeply invested in its construction.
Ronan noticed.
"Is that Orsini?"
She didn't turn.
"Yes."
"He's not subtle."
"No."
"Should I be concerned?"
She finally looked across the street.
Aurelio was now pretending to examine a decorative beam.
"He thinks he's subtle."
Ronan smiled faintly.
"Do you like him?"
She met his eyes.
"That's an intrusive question."
"You're having coffee with me."
"Which does not grant interrogation privileges."
"Fair."
He leaned back slightly.
"I don't mind competition," he said lightly. "I just prefer to know if I'm in one."
She considered that.
"I don't compete for people."
"That's not what I meant."
Across the street, Valentina appeared beside Aurelio like summoned judgment.
"You've passed that same stone three times," she said calmly.
"I'm observing craftsmanship."
"You're hovering."
"I am not."
"You are catastrophically hovering."
He exhaled slowly.
"This was a mistake."
"What was?"
"Letting her go."
Valentina raised a brow.
"She went to coffee. Not exile."
He didn't answer.
Inside the café, Ronan asked quietly,
"Does he always look like that?"
"Like what?"
"Like someone calculating structural collapse."
She almost laughed.
"Yes."
"And that doesn't concern you?"
"It concerns everyone," she admitted.
The coffee was good.
The conversation was surprisingly steady.
Which almost made it worse.
Because steady felt dangerous in a different way.