[Hendrik chuckles as that smirk is aimed in his direction, nodding in acknowledgment. Yes, he really didn't need the extra confirmation, especially after his assumption had proven correct yesterday when he'd brought those leftover desserts to Jasper's room.]

Then I will be back shortly. Do not be surprised if some of the ladies stop by when they hear Celestine is out and about.

[With that said, Hendrik exits the dining hall to head to the kitchens. Unsurprisingly, some of the cooks ask how Celestine is doing, having heard from the maids that he had been taking care of her. There's such happy chatter in the warm and wonderfully-smelling kitchen that Hendrik sees no reason to not linger and answer.

Yes, the baby is well; she is with her father right now. She drank a good deal of her bottle; she will definitely need another bottle for the evening. Yes, Jasper seems to be doing well so far. Yes, he does look cute with a baby.

Er. Well. Thankfully no one catches how he pauses at that.

The cooks soon usher him out; they are hardly going to have the general standing around while they continue cooking. After hearing they are preparing pear tarts and berry cobbler for dessert, Hendrik heads back towards the dining hall.

It's in the quiet of moving between the two areas that Hendrik is struck by how ... happy he has been in the last day or so. It's especially notable considering how preoccupied he's otherwise been.

Has he truly been under so much stress the past three years?]