When I woke up the next morning, I was surprised to find that Rachel was no longer there.
Still sleepy, I looked around the room, but there was no girl in it either. Did she really leave so early on business?
After lying in bed for some time, I was able to cheer up enough to ring the bell and call the maid. She appeared before me in a couple of minutes.
It was the maid who showed me the mansion last night. Duke Cassius appointed her my personal maid for the duration of my stay in this house, and I didn't mind. Melinda turned out to be a pretty nice girl, with whom we quickly got along.
She helpfully asked what was required of her.
— What time is it? I yawned, stretching in bed.
— It's almost eleven, lady.
Eleven? So it's very early. Considering that we were not at the academy, where you have to get up early to study, I assumed it was quite acceptable to sleep right up to lunch. After all, isn't that allowed during the holidays?
