I rushed outside the mansion and stopped by the entrance when I saw multiple carriages parked outside. The maids were already helping the Earl's people with the large presents he bought. My steps grew slower, controlling my face from distorting at the presents and the wagon of flowers from the north.
Suddenly, the door of the carriage opened. My eyes glistened with excitement until they changed to surprise. The expectation of seeing a child disappeared as the person who was hitching out the carriage was a... man.
"Claude," came out a whisper, smiling in disbelief as our eyes met. "Goodness."
Claude had grown for sure. He was no longer adorable. He had become a fine young man, and I felt like a proud mother seeing him in a suit. Time seemed to stop as I walked towards him and he strutted in my direction. I glanced at my surrounding, seeing the servants move in slow motion.
