It was pouring rain out, the skies were dark with gloomy clouds and the sun was hiding as if it was afraid of the doom impeding weather. Mia sat inside her bedroom, reading one of the books they had bought the day before. It was a book all about the history of Lucrin. Valuable study material, although she had nothing to take notes with. She felt bad asking the servants of the estate since they were already busy with more important matters. Atlier would also be of no help today, since he was busy with a meeting.
Mia didn't know what the meeting was about, but she knew it was important. Ideally, she would have sat in the study to read, with the windows open, listening to the rain pitter patter against the stonework. Unfortunately the estate was crawling with very expensive looking people, whom she assumed where there for the meeting. Thus, Mia changed her plans and decided to hide out in her room.
Today didn't feel like a 'pretend to be someone you're not' kind of day. Although, she did wish that she had her favorite pair of pajamas, snacks and a good rom com to watch, it was the perfect weather for it.
When she was about half way through her book, she heard a knock on the door. It was one of the maids, who curtsied upon entering the room. She was quite young and her long black locks were braided into pigtails. Her brown eyes were the color of a luxurious chocolate. "My lady. It is lunch time. Duke Atlier has requested your appearance at the dining hall."
Mia leaned forward and said in a low voice, "Is the meeting over yet? Are the people gone?" The maid shook her head, "No my lady, they are still here. The meeting is simply taking a pause for lunch."
"You don't have to call me 'my lady'. I'd be more comfortable if you just called me Mia. What is your name?"
The maid blushed and a small smile appeared on her face, "My name is Tina. I am sorry to make you uncomfortable my lady but I will get in trouble if I do not call you as such."
"Then how about, you just call me Mia when it's only the two of us? Tina, is there any way that I can eat lunch in here instead?"
"My- I mean, Mia, Duke Atlier has personally requested your presence. I don't think he would like for you not to show up."
"What if, you told him I was feeling unwell? That would make sense why I didn't attend right and why I would eat in here?"
"I suppose so….then I will tell him that you are feeling ill and then bring your lunch?"
Mia nodded in confirmation and with that Tina exited the room.
A few moments later, she re-entered with a platter of food and set it down on the little table next to one of the big windows. It had slices of chicken with a light sauce laid on a bed of lettuce and cherry tomatoes, a small salad, two pieces of freshly baked bread, an abundance of fruit, and a glass of wine.
"Thank you Tina, would you like to share with me?" There was much too much here for Mia to eat all by herself. When she was 7 years old, she was involved in a car accident with her parents. Mia was the only survivor. Her grandfather took her in, but the medical and funeral costs financially drained him. He was already too old to work anymore, so finances were tight. They ate just enough to get by, so Mia wasn't used to the amount of food served.
Tina looked like she was about to say yes, but the excitement faded from her face and she instead replied, "It wouldn't be right of me to do so."
Mia waved her hand and gently grabbed Tina's, pulling her over to the table and sitting her down. "I demand you help me eat this!" The happiness returned and Tina began eating a few grapes. "Thank you my la- I mean, Mia. Are you sure it was okay to lie to Duke Atlier though? He seemed very distraught when I told him you were feeling unwell."
Mia nodded, "It's alright Tina. I'll take full responsibility for it if it becomes an issue. What's the worst that can happen? I'll just recover miraculously right after the meeting concludes!"
"Okay….if you say so." Tina timidly reached for a piece of chicken and stared at Mia as if asking for permission. Mia nodded, giving her the 'okay' and Tina happily munched. Now was as good a time as ever for Mia to ask about some paper, now that Tina wasn't busy.
"Tina, I have a question for you. Do you know where I might be able to find some paper? I'd like to take some notes on my book."
"I can bring you paper, if that is what you need." Tina stood, but Mia grabbed her arm and pulled her back down. "It's alright Tina. You have much more important things to do and you should be able to relax for a while. I can get it myself. I just need to know where."
Tina looked a little uncomfortable, almost like she was betraying someone or something, but then continued, "Well…if you're sure about getting it on your own. There should be a stack of blank papers in the study, second drawer from the top in the desk."
"Thanks Tina. Why do you look so anxious? Loosen up a little." Mia playfully nudged her and Tina hung her head low, "I've never had someone be nice to me before like this. I feel like I will get in trouble for not serving you and instead sitting at your table, sharing your food."
"Tina, if anyone says anything, I'll tell them that this is how I want to be served. I feel so uncomfortable when you all fawn over me, and do things for me. I'm used to doing things for myself."
A small smile flashed on Tina's face, "That's true, I am serving you, just in your own special way." The two laughed and continued sharing their lunch. Tina ended up eating more than Mia did which wasn't a problem, Mia had already eaten her fill. Besides, it was so nice to see how happy it made Tina to eat a delicious meal.
Later that night, Mia sat in bed reading. She didn't know when the meeting would conclude so she decided to stay in bed until tomorrow. That's when she would go to the study to get some more paper. However, unannounced, Atlier arrived bursting through her bedroom doors, letting them slam behind him.
Mia sat up straight, startled and stared at him with a complete look of shock. His face was filled with concern as he sat by her on the bed and felt her forehead with his hand. "Are you alright? One of the maids said you were feeling unwell. What's wrong? What are you feeling? Does it hurt anywhere?"
Now she felt bad. She didn't expect him to actually be worried like this. "Atlier, I'm fine." She grabbed his hand and pulled it away from her face, "I think it was probably just nerves from all the unknown people that were here. I started feeling better shortly after lunch." She felt bad for lying even more, but what could she do, she'd already started a lie. Sure she could tell the truth, but no one does that….right?
Atlier breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank goodness. I'm glad it's nothing serious. The meeting has concluded, although I will be busy tomorrow as well. I wish I could entertain and accompany you. Shall I ask one of the maids to keep your company instead?"
Mia perked up! "Yes! Please ask Tina to keep me company! I really like spending time with her." Atlier smiled, "You hardly know her."
Her face went serious. For some reason that sentence triggered her. 'So what?' she thought, 'I knew the man I loved for years and yet….I didn't know him at all.'
"Mia? Are you feeling ill again?"
She snapped out of it and shook her head, "Oh no! Sorry, I'm fine. I was just thinking about something. I know I hardly know her but the time I've spent with her, was enjoyable so I want to spend more time with her."
Atlier nodded, "Alright, I'll tell them tomorrow then. Rest well tonight Mia. I don't want you getting sick."
"I will. Thank you Atlier."
He gave her a gentle smile and exited her room. Her put a hand to his chest, 'Thank god she's alright.'