The door creaked open, and the maids stepped inside, their footsteps soft against the polished floor. They were young, dressed immaculately in the colors of the Duke's household, their movements practiced and efficient. At first, their eyes went directly to me, but the moment they noticed her, they hesitated.
A flicker of surprise crossed their faces—brief, almost imperceptible—but there nonetheless. After all, it was not every day that Madeleina, one of the highest-ranking attendants in the mansion, was found in the guest chambers of an adventurer.
Still, they were well-trained. Within a heartbeat, they schooled their expressions into careful neutrality and lowered their heads in respect. "Miss Madeleina."
