Grace's room, nestled in the south wing, was the first door on the right. As Ophelia approached, the soft, melodic sounds of piano notes drifted out, weaving a soothing ambiance. The player's fingers danced across the keys, exploring harmonies rather than a specific tune.
Ophelia gently tapped on the door, and it swung open in under 30 seconds. Grace stood before her, radiant in a silk grey nightgown, her fiery red hair neatly secured in a ponytail. Her midnight-black eyes, slightly puffy, sparkled with warmth.
"Hey, good morning," Grace said, her lips curving into a gentle smile.
Ophelia couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between the two sisters. Rebecca's polished, icy demeanor was replaced by Grace's effortless elegance and genuine warmth.
"Good morning, Ms. Grace," Ophelia replied, smiling back. "I brought your tea."
Grace's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Ophelia. That's so sweet of you."
As Ophelia handed her the cup, she caught a glimpse of the piano behind Grace, its keys still resonating from the interrupted melody.
"You play beautifully," Ophelia said, genuine admiration coloring her voice.
Grace's smile deepened. "Just experimenting. I couldn't sleep."
Ophelia nodded sympathetically. "I understand."
"Thanks for the tea." Grace said ,her gaze shifted to the last cup on the tray."I guess that one belongs to Regi ,his room is over there." Grace pointed to a large semi circular door.
Ophelia thanked and walked towards the Reginald's door ,she gently knocked in the door and waited for a response. After a brief moment, the door swung open, and Butler Finley stood before her, his expression impeccable as always.
"Good morning, Ms Johnson" Finley said, his voice smooth and courteous. "You've brought Master Reginald's tea, I presume?"
Ophelia nodded, handing Finley the cup. "Yes, Mr. Finley. Here it is."
Finley took the cup, his eyes flicking towards the interior of the room before returning to Ophelia. "Thank you, Mr Johnson. I'll ensure Master Reginald receives his tea promptly."
With that, Finley stepped aside, allowing Ophelia a glimpse of Reginald's room. She caught a brief sight of Reginald himself, sitting on a plush armchair, his eyes fixed on a book in his lap.
After Ophelia served tea ,she took a fifteen minutes long bath ,soaking her body in the war to relieve both fatigue and nervousness,she was planning on driving her old toyato to town and getting some of her stuff.
Ophelia stepped out of the water using a towel to drape her self ,she went to the wardrobe pulled the door ,her hand m went through the dresses in the wardrobe but these dress was merely beautiful for home ,it wasn't a modern dress that could be worn outside,their design was about a hundred years old,she knew she couldn't wear the ridiculous outfit to town,she eventually settled for the jean pant and top she had worn the day before.
When Ophelia had gone downstairs to clean up , Caitlin had been kind enough to manage it her self and asked Ophelia to rest as she had just arrived and was full of energy.
When Ophelia looked at the clock it was still 15 minutes pass 8 and she couldn't possibly leave as Mrs Brooks had made it clear that her personal matters were to be attended from 9:30 and she just wasn't willing to risk it.
She decided to water the dark rose garden , she carried a big watering can that she found in the garden store ,she filled up the can ,wbr diligently carried it around the gardening watering the blooming flowers,as she watered the garden she wondered what specie of rose was black.
"Ms Johnson." A femine voiced called from behind ,shocking Ophelia who quickly spunned around to see Grace standing just few steps away ,she was wearing a yellow off shoulders dress with her hair let down her shoulder and her black eyes shone with curiosity, noticing she had scared the poor Servant she smiled "I'm sorry if I had scared you and for interrupting your work,but what are your doing."
"It's alright Miss,I was just watering the flower as they seem to be blooming,they need enough water." Ophelia replied cautiously.
"Well you may be just pouring water on rocks." Grace said.
"What do you mean Miss.?" Ophelia asked.
"These are Reginald special species of flower water doesn't help it bloom, Reginald and Finley go to some extent to feed it." Grace explained and walked to the flowers Ophelia had just watered she squatted down and pluck out a flower petal and almost immediately the flower died and turned to ashes.
Ophelia was beyond shock ,a science experiment had just been performed before her very eyes." Did the water kill it." She asked panicked and hoping she was wrong.
Grace laughed" what silly though is that,of course not." She then proceeded to pluck out a full flower ,this time istead of withering the flower bloomed opened up a it petal so one could see the red light that shone from within. "Reginald had discovered this flowers few years back and had nutured it since then,he called the garden Alissa."
The name almost rang a bell to Ophelia but suddenly it didn't.she asked" Was they an objective behind the name ."?
"It's an ..." Just as Grace was about to complete her statement a voice interrupted.
"Shouldn't you ladies pay me to talk about me behind me " the deep voice rang from behind. Ophelia looked back to see Reginald walking towards then with Finley trailing behind him, Reginald wore a black shirt that was buttoned down with the top button open one could see the fair sturdy skin under that shirt, he was also wearing a black plain trouser that complimented the shirt.
"Sorry sir we weren't gossiping, Ms Grace was enlightening me ,about the Alissa Garden and the special flower you nuture." Ophelia replied.
Reginald's eye's narrowed slightly as he approached them."you seem to be interested In this little hobby of mine, miss Johnson."
Ophelia wanted to deny it ,but wasn't it obvious that she was curious too.