Nicholas's footsteps echoed sharply through the dimly lit corridor as he approached Lily's room. His expression was a mask of rigid control, each step seemingly calculated to convey an impression of authority. The knock on her door was firm, carrying an air of urgency that contrasted with the evening's quiet. The ever gossiping maids and men servants looked at him, whispering to themselves in gossip languages. The couples had been a point of gossip for them.
When Lily opened the door, with her phone on one hand, she was met with the sight of Nicholas, his posture straight and his gaze steady. Her initial surprise was quickly masked by a cautious welcome. "Why are you here, Nicholas," she asked, more like a greeting, her voice steady despite the flutter of anxiety in her chest. "What brings you here?"
