A line ne of maids in neat blue uniforms assembled infront of the Manor, the Manor.
Miss Cecil as the head maid stood infront with the rest, all with their heads bowed.
It almost winter and as always the lady of the house returned from the capital at the very season.
As the carriage pulled through the big front gates ancame to a stop at the foyer, miss Cecil moved forward and opened the door.
Lady Kendra Creed, the legal wife to the master of the house.
The carriage door swung open, a vision of elegance descended onto the cobblestone driveway. The woman's expensive red dress shimmered in the sunlight, accentuating her poise and refinement. Her fondness for the color red was evident in the intricate ruby encrustations adorning her neck, wrists, and fingers. The air around her seemed to vibrate with an aura of pride and confidence, commanding attention from all who surrounded her.
"See that my luggage is brought to my room at once," she instructed, her voice low and authoritative. "Miss Cecil, kindly dispatch someone to attend to me immediately." Without waiting for a response, she turned and glided towards the manor, her red handfasting - a symbol of her high status - covering her mouth as she walked.
As she disappeared into the grand estate, the maids and servants couldn't help but exchange awed whispers. They knew that this woman was not one for trivial conversations or tolerance of mistakes. Her reputation for being a woman of few words, with a penchant for irritation at the slightest error, preceded her.
With a flick of her red-dressed hem, she vanished into the depths of the manor, leaving Miss Cecil to address the line of maids. "Return to your duties, ladies. Her Grace has no time for idle chatter." With a gentle nod, the maids dispersed, their eyes still fixed on the spot where the enigmatic woman in red had last been seen.
*****
Lyria smoothed her apron and curtsied as she entered the manor. She had been sent by Miss Cecil to attend to Lady Kendra's needs, and she was determined to make a good impression. She found herself in a grand hallway, with a sweeping staircase curving up to the left and a door to the right that led to a cozy-looking study.
A soft voice summoned her from the study. "welcome. I am Lady Kendra."
Lyria curtsied again and introduced herself. "It's an honor to serve you, milady. Miss Cecil sent me to attend to your needs."
Lady Kendra's piercing grey eyes scrutinized her before nodding. "Very well. I require assistance with my toilette and dressing. See to it,"
Lyria nodded and followed Lady Kendra to her chambers. As she worked, she couldn't help but notice the opulent decor and the air of elegance that surrounded Lady Kendra.
After completing her tasks, Lady Kendra instructed Lyria to prepare her bath.
Lyria hurried into the bathroom to prepare Lady Kendra's bath. She added a generous handful of rose petals to the water, watching as they floated to the surface. As she turned to leave, her bow tie slipped from her neck and fell into the bathtub with a soft plop.
Lyria's eyes widened in dismay. That tie had cost her half a week's wages! She tried to fish it out with her hand, but it was just out of reach. She considered using the toilet brush, but that seemed unsanitary. Next, she tried a pair of tongs from the kitchen, but they only managed to push the tie further underwater.
Just as she was contemplating using a straw to try and suction it up, Lady Kendra's voice summoned her from the next room. "Lyria, is the bath ready?"
Lyria hesitated, torn between abandoning her tie and risking Lady Kendra's displeasure. With a sigh, she left the bathroom, tie still floating in the water.
"Yes, milady," she said, curtsying low.
Lady Kendra's eyes narrowed slightly as she took in Lyria's flustered appearance. "Good. Help me undress."
Lyria's hands trembled slightly as she assisted Lady Kendra out of her dress and into a towel. As she worked, Lady Kendra began to describe her - "Silver hair, snow white skin" - and Lyria's cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
When Lady Kendra ordered her to raise her head, Lyria hesitated, fearing her gaze. But the lady's firm rebuke left her no choice. "A maid who cannot look her mistress in the eye is of little use."
With a deep breath, Lyria met Lady Kendra's eyes, her own wide with wonder. The lady's beauty took her aback - grey eyes shining like polished stone, complementing her raven hair. Lyria felt a little awestruck, her own silver hair tied back in a slightly askew bow.
"What is your name, girl?" Lady Kendra asked, her voice commanding.
Lyria stuttered, "L-Lyria Caldewin, milady."
Lady Kendra repeated her name, her eyes narrowing slightly as she asked if Lyria was related to Miss Cecil. Lyria nodded, still feeling a bit dazed.
'You may go child and take those box's by the corner for laundry'.
'Yes milady, I will be on my way then.'
As he took the boxes out of Lady Kendra's room a sigh of relief washed over her .
She almost lost breath someplace back there, and the lost of her precious tie was a big cry.
As Lyria hurried back to her dorm, she was stopped by Arthur, the master's son. He was handsome, with black hair like his mother, Lady Kendra, and piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through her. Lyria felt a flutter in her chest as he approached her, his tall frame looming over her petite one.
Lyria, what's the hurry?" Arthur asked, his voice low and smooth.
Arthur blocked Lyria's path, his tall frame looming over her petite one. "Come on, Lyria, let me help you with those boxes. You look like you're about to drop them."
Lyria curtsied, trying to hide her nervousness. "Just returning to my dorm, sir. I have to finish my chores."
Arthur's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. "Let me help you with those boxes. You look like you're about to drop them."
Lyria protested, "No, no, sir! I can manage. Miss Cecil would not approve of me sharing my work with...with..."
Arthur chuckled and took some of the boxes from her, his hands brushing against hers. "With the master's son? Don't worry, Lyria. I won't tell."
As they walked together, Lyria tried to keep her distance, but Arthur seemed determined to help her.
Lyria tried to hold her ground, but Arthur was too quick. He snatched the boxes from her hands, holding them just out of her reach. "Come on, Lyria. Don't be stubborn. Let me help you."
Lyria's face reddened with frustration. "Give them back, sir! I can do it myself!"
Arthur teased her, raising the boxes higher and higher until Lyria was leaping for them, her apron fluttering around her legs. "Oh, Lyria, you're so stubborn! But I like that about you."
Lyria's eyes narrowed, her breath coming in short gasps. "Stop it, sir! That's not funny!"
Arthur's grin faltered for a moment, and he looked at her with a gaze that made Lyria's heart skip a beat. But she was too annoyed to notice. "Fine, have it your way," he said, holding the boxes high above her head.
Lyria jumped again, her fingers brushing against the boxes. But Arthur was too quick, and he pulled them away, laughing. That's when they both lost their balance, tumbling to the ground in a heap.
In the end, they both ended up tumbling to the ground, Arthur landing on top of her. Lyria's eyes flashed with anger, but as she looked up at Arthur, she saw something there that made her heart skip a beat.
Arthur's eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. Lyria felt like she was drowning in his gaze, and she couldn't look away. Then, Arthur's face broke into a handsome smile, and he laughed, his chest rumbling against hers.
As they struggled to their feet, Lyria's eyes flashed with anger, but Arthur just smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You're so beautiful when you're angry, Lyria."
But then a stern voice called them from the clouds.
"Lyria! What is the meaning of this?"
Lyria scrambled for her feet, her face burning. "I-I was just...um...dropping something, Miss Cecil."
Miss Cecil's eyes narrowed. "And what would people think, seeing a maid and her master in such a position?"
Arthur chimed in, "They would think we were just playing and fell, Miss Cecil."
But Miss Cecil was not amused. "They would think indecent things and spread rumors. Lyria, you know better than to behave in such a way."
Lyria bowed her head, apologizing profusely. Arthur tried to intervene, but Lyria quickly excused herself and ran off to her dorm, leaving the two of them behind.
As Lyria disappeared from view, Miss Cecil turned to Arthur and said, "I didn't mean to be rude, Arthur, but a maid is a maid."
Arthur's eyes glinted with amusement. "And I suppose you think I should keep my distance?"
Miss Cecil's expression turned stern. "Lady Kendra, your mother, is back and would like to see you."
Arthur's smile faltered, and he sighed. "Ah, duty calls."
As he walked away, Miss Cecil called out, "And, Arthur?"
"Yes, Miss Cecil?"
"Don't forget your place."
Arthur's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. "I won't, Miss Cecil. But I think Lyria has already forgotten hers."