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Yasmin and Matthew spent the next day much in the same way; exploring the city until Yasmin was too tired to move anymore. Then they sat down at a cafe or restaurant and just chatted about anything and everything that was on their mind.
Yasmin ended up telling him more about her family than she had ever told anyone before. They even planned slightly for the future, with them deciding that it would be best for them to hold off on any official courting before Matthew could talk with her father. She also warned him that he would most likely be expected to spend his study abroad year in Tehran.
Her father was nothing if not ambitious, and expected everyone else to have the same dedication to work as he did; a statement that - to no surprise of hers - made Matthew grimace in disapproval. She could understand how he was feeling. Like Matthew, she valued freedom of expression more than manners and work ethics.
It did make her worry slightly that Matthew might come to resent her overbearing family, and her in extension; but when she voiced that fear Matthew was quick to reassure that he would never blame her for her family’s actions.
“Also, I’m the Consul’s son. If your father is as ambitious as you say he is, I am sure that such a connection weighs more than any flaws I might have,” despite the air of nonchalance he said it with, she couldn’t help but notice the sharp downturn of his lips. She wondered if he enjoyed being the Consul’s son as little as she enjoyed being the head of the Institute’s daughter; always someone’s daughter, and never just Yasmin.
She squeezed his hand gently. “I would have chosen you no matter whose son you were.”
His returning smile quite literally melted her heart.
She wished these days could last forever. Spending everyday with Matthew like this was better than anything she could ever imagine. Also, there were so many sights in Paris she had yet to see - like the Eiffel Tower or that Cabaret Matthew had talked about. Despite Matthew promising her that they would be back someday - maybe even as early as their honeymoon if she so wished to - she still felt a bit sad when it all came to an end.
The third morning of their stay in Paris - and as they had all gathered for breakfast in the salon - there was a heavy knock on the door. Their conversation fizzled out and they exchanged silent looks of bewilderment, before Matthew jumped to his feet and rushed out into the entryway to throw open the door.
“James!” Matthew’s astonishment echoed from the other room.
Cordelia stiffened, and before Yasmin could even think about stopping her, she threw herself out of her seat and inside her room. The door locked behind her with an audible click. The next moment, James had walked into the room.
“Where’s Cordelia?” Was the first thing he asked, and both Yasmin and Alastair proceeded to point at the closed door. Alastair looked exactly as dumbstruck by this turn of events as Yasmin felt.
With a determined look James walked up to the door and knocked. “Daisy,” he called, “I need to talk to you. Would you please open the door for me?”
There was a moment of silence before another click could be heard, and the door opened slowly to reveal Cordelia. Her eyes were wide and scared, so unlike that brave front she always wore. It was a great testament to her affection towards James that only he could bring out this vulnerable side in her.
She opened the door wider to let James inside, before she closed it again, effectively cutting the others off from their conversation. Matthew had returned to his and Alastair’s room, and after a moment’s consideration, Yasmin decided to take this chance to pull Alastair aside to tell him the good news; or at least she hoped he would think it was good news. She proceeded to tell him the whole story about the dress shop, with him looking slightly uncomfortable during the love confession, and then outright stopping her as she started describing the kiss.
“I think this is quite enough information, thank you,” Alastair said, hands raised as if to ward off an actual physical attack. Along with the absolute mortification on his face, it made for a quite humorous display. Yasmin had to stifle a giggle. “Don’t misunderstand me- I am very happy for you, Mina, but that doesn’t mean I ever want to imagine Matthew and… those kinds of things.” He wrinkled his nose in disgust. “Also, I’d like to avoid any dueling over your honour, please.”
This time Yasmin couldn’t hold back her laughter. She bent over and laughed harder than she had in a while, and Alastair was quick to join in. In the end they were laughing so hard that they were gasping for breath.
“Are you two alright?” Asked a voice from across the room, and they both turned to see Matthew staring at them from across the doorway. There was half a smile on his lips and a look on his face that said that he wasn’t quite sure what he had walked in on.
“I was trying to tell Alastair about our kiss,” Yasmin said in between giggles, and Matthew’s eyebrows shot up to the ceiling, “but he stopped me, because- because he doesn’t want to duel you.”
She could tell he didn’t really understand what was so funny about it, but he gave her an indulgent smile anyway. “That’s good, because I’m quite positive I would lose.”
They were all settled down in their own places around the salon, when the door to Cordelia’s room opened. Alastair turned from where he was standing by the open window, and Matthew and Yasmin - who sat curled up on the sofa with The Picture of Dorian Grey open between them - looked up as one. Out stepped first James - his face unreadable - and then behind him - almost timidly - was Cordelia. It took Yasmin a moment to realise that their hands were connected in between, and she could only hope that it meant that their talk went well.
“We have decided to return to London tonight,” James stated to the room before any question could be asked.
“What about the Clave?,” Alastair asked. “They have set out a warrant for Cordelia’s arrest.”
James nodded. “We will go directly to the Clave and tell them the truth- that Lilith forced Cordelia’s hand- that nothing of what she did that night was of her own accord. I was hoping you would agree to testify for her.”
“Of course, we will. You don’t even have to ask,” Matthew said, and Yasmin nodded her consent. “Will you also tell the Clave about being her Paladin?”
“No, I think-,” James started, but quieted as Cordelia moved forward.
“I’ve decided to tell them the whole truth. I believe it’s better since it might come out anyway. Especially if they use the mortal sword to question me.”
“Cordelia…” James protested, but she gave him a stern look. In that moment they looked more than ever like the married pair they actually were.
“And who knows,” Yasmin pondered, “someone might know a way to actually break the connection. Maybe the silent brothers could help.”
Cordelia gave her a grateful smile. “Maybe.”
As everyone dispersed to their own room to prepare for the journey, Matthew took Yasmin’s hand and pulled her aside.
He squeezed their still linked hands with a smile. “I was thinking, after we return to London and this whole ordeal with Lilith is over, how about we leave for Persia- immediately, I mean.”
“Didn’t we say next year? After my time in London is officially over.”
“I know we did but-” Matthew’s cheeks stained slightly red as he fiddled with her fingers, “believe it or not, I’m a bit impatient to be gone with all the secrecy and to start courting you properly,” It was a very sweet statement, except he immediately started to backtrack. “But if you rather wait then-”
“Me too.” Yasmin beamed at him. “I’m very very impatient.” And to show just how much, she leaned in to kiss him. It was sweet, and slow, and made Yasmin feel like she was going to burst with happiness. Finally, after she was quite sure she had properly shown him just how impatient she was, she pulled back slowly to beam up at him.
His answering smile was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen, and although she knew that everything would not be as easy as it felt right now - there would be hardships and trials on both his and her side - she had the strongest belief that whatever happened, they would face it together.