Morning light filtered through the wooden lattice screens, casting delicate patterns onto the polished floors. A cool breeze drifted through the open corridors, carrying the faint scent of jasmine from the garden.
Liora stepped out of her chamber, her silk robes flowing around her as she moved. The deep lavender fabric shimmered under the sunlight, embroidered with silver thread in the shape of delicate peonies. A translucent outer robe draped over her shoulders, its sheer material soft against her skin.
Her hair had been styled by Mira and Lily earlier that morning, half tied up with intricate silver pins, while the rest cascaded in soft waves down her back. A delicate dove shaped hairpiece adorned with tiny pearls rested above her forehead, and light golden bracelets clinked softly around her wrists.
Mira and Lily walked closely behind, their presence was quiet a comfort for liora to have someone she knew around her. But just as they were making their way down the halls, a voice called out from ahead.
"Madam Liora."
A young maid approached, lowering her head in a respectful bow.
Liora paused, turning toward the girl.
"The stewardess requests your presence in the eastern tea house," the maid informed her.
Liora glanced at Mira, who nodded slightly, then responded, "Very well."
As they walked through the estate, Liora took in her surroundings. The morning sun painted everything in warm hues, making the intricate carvings on the wooden beams stand out. Lanterns still swayed gently from the night before; their soft glow now replaced by daylight.
As they reached the tea house, it was a beautiful space, glass-walled, filled with light, the view of the gardens stretching beyond.
Inside the house, Beatrice stood waiting, accompanied by a few of maids.
At the center of the room, a table had been set.
Liora's steps slowed as her gaze settled on the meal before her, bowls of steaming soup, freshly baked bread, delicate plates of fruit arranged with care. The sight of it felt almost foreign.
Beatrice gestured toward the seat across from her.
"Good morning, Madam." She bowed down and continued " Please, Madam, have a seat and eat."
The title still felt strange to Liora, but she did not question it. With a quiet nod, she lowered herself onto the seat.
The food before her was unlike anything she had ever been given before in the house of Miral or anywhere else."
The aroma of rich broth, the golden crust of the bread, and the sweetness of the fruit, it was all so different from what she was used to.
She lifted her hand, fingers hovering over the spoon, before hesitating.
A memory surfaced up from her uncle's house.
In a dimly lit kitchen. A bowl of cold rice placed in front of her, barely seasoned, barely enough. The silence at the table, the sharp gazes reminding her she was unwanted.
But even in that house, there had been warmth, and it was her grandmother.The only one who had ever pressed extra food into her hands, the only one who had whispered words of comfort when she was too afraid to speak.Liora lowered the spoon.Her appetite had vanished.
She placed her hands in her lap, carefully folding them together before lifting her gaze to Beatrice.
"I apologize, but I do not feel well enough to eat right now."
Beatrice studied her.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then, finally, Beatrice gave a slow nod.Liora rose slowly, the silk of her robe sliding against the smooth wood as she pushed back her chair. She dropped her eyes for an instant before raising them again, her voice firm. "I apologize," she said, her tone respectful. "Thank you for making this."
She spun around, not bothering with an answer. Her feet had already begun moving in the direction of the door before she intended them to, the chill of the morning air kissing her skin as she pulled away from the table.
Mira was on her heels straight away, hurrying to match pace with Liora. But Lily fell back only one pace behind.
The young servant girl reached the door, hesitating for a bare moment. That was when she heard it.
A soft murmur, barely above a whisper.
"People from low-class houses should compliment food like this… but this girl is too full of herself."
Lily's footsteps stumbled.
She turned her head slightly, though she didn't dare look back fully.
Beatrice sat at the table, fingers idly stroking the lip of her teacup, staring down at the untouched meal before her. She had spoken in the same tone she might have used to herself, as if the words did not signify.
But Lily had not missed them.
Something in her chest writhed It was not shock, but simmering anger.
She curled her fingers tightly at her waist, concealed within the long arms of her uniform.
She flashed one final glance before ducking out the doorway, hastening her pace in order to find Mira and Liora.
The mansion was sprawling and expansive, wrapped in the sun-kissed colors of morning.Liora and Mira suddenly stopped in the hallway.
Lily, lost in thought, staggered ahead and bumped into Mira, sending the older maid forward by a step. Mira whirled around with a hard glare, her hands already resting on her hips.
"Lily! Can't you see where you're walking?"She reprimanded Lily, striding towards the little girl. Mira caught her by the ear before Lily could get away, pulling it sharply. "What if you had fallen on Madam Liora? Do you know how careless you are?"
Lily gasped. "Ow, ow! Mira, it was an accident!" she complained, attempting to shake Mira's fingers off her ear.Then, as if recalling something, Lily turned her beseeching eyes to Liora. "Madam, tell her to release!"
Liora, observing the scene, couldn't help but laugh softly. She placed her hand over her mouth with the edge of her sleeve, her eyes brimming with mirth.
"Mira" Liora smiled, "I didn't fall, so it's okay. Release her ear now."
Mira huffed, giving Lily one final warning glare before releasing her. **"Fine. But if you trip again, don't come crying to me."
Lily rubbed her ear, frowning.
Liora scanned the estate, her eyes noting the sweeping halls, the intricate carvings on the pillars of wood, the dainty lanterns hanging gently above them. Something was lacking.
"I just thought… I forgot to invite Beatrice for an estate tour," Liora whispered.
Mira frowned at once, folding her arms. "We ought to have! It's your first day here Madam and the stewardess should have ensured that someone attended to you."
Lily, on the other hand, smiled sheepishly and shrugged. "In all honesty… it's well we didn't ask her."
Mira turned to her, furrowing her brows. "And why is that?"
Lily hesitated, glancing around the corridor before speaking softly. "Because I heard Beatrice calling Madam… a low-class person."
Mira stiffened, her fists clenched. Her face grew slightly red with rage, her brows furrowed sharply. "She, what?"
Liora, on the other hand, was not.
She exhaled softly before she shook her head. "Let it go."
Mira jerked her head towards her. "But, madam..."
"Let it go," Liora insisted softly, but firmly. "Words don't mean anything unless you allow them to affect you."
Mira still looked skeptical but said nothing else, her lips compressed into a thin line.
At that moment, footsteps could be heard from the corridor.
The three turned to witness a tall form approaching.
Rowan was walking through the corridor with few scrolls in his hand.
He was as serene in his presence as ever, his dark cloak billowing just behind him as he advanced. The instant his gaze met Liora, he halted and bowed with lightness.
"Madam Liora," he addressed her, his tone smooth and courteous.
Liora greeted the address with a slight nod. "Lord",
Rowan's piercing eyes flashed to the maids before returning to her. "May I inquire as to why you are in the corridors?"
Liora paused for a moment before answering, her voice steady. "I wished to tour the estate."
Rowan regarded her for a moment before nodding. "I shall have a worker show you around."
Liora smiled faintly. "Thank you."
As she departed, Rowan bestowed one final admonition upon her. "But madam, there are rooms in this house which belong to strangers. Do not enter any of the rooms that the servant discourages."
Liora tilted her head in a fraction but nodded. "I shall."
Rowan bowed again and turned and walked away, his tread slow, his face impassive.
As his form receded down the corridor, Liora breathed softly.
Liora shifted her head, her eyes falling on Mira and Lily.
The two girls stood together with poker faces, but Liora was no fool. Their eyes glinted with excitement, but yet they kept their face calm.For women their age, an estate as large as this was like entering a different world. And Liora knew that as she was feeling the same.
She released a soft hum with a small, knowing smile on her lips.
The servant who had been tasked with serving as their guide entered at that moment, bowing respectfully before advancing to the task he was assigned.
Liora said nothing further and moved forward, her maids falling into line behind her.