Liora paced through the estate, her soft slippers making little sound against the polished wooden floors. She had walked through the same hallway at least three times now, aimlessly wandering from one corridor to another, but she wasn't sure what else to do with her time.
Back at the Miral estate, her days had been filled with endless chores. Even if the work was tiring, at least it kept her busy. Here, in the grand estate of a prince, she felt like a foreign feeling, being dressed up in expensive fabrics, adorned with fine jewels, yet left to simply exist; she was not used to this.
Her maids, Mira and Lily, were nowhere in sight. They had been called to assist the other servants with their duties, and Liora had let them go. She didn't want to be the kind of mistress who held her maids back from their work just to keep herself entertained.
With a sigh, she reached up to unclasp the heavy gold necklace resting around her collarbone. It was beautiful and one of the many gifts from the Queen Dowager. But it felt too foreign on her skin. Liora walked over to the dresser, her fingers brushing against the cold metal before setting it down.
Her gaze wandered to the large wooden chest at the corner of the room. She remembered bringing a few things from the Miral estate when she left, but she hadn't seen them since her arrival.
"Where did they put them?" She mumbled to herself.
Something flashed in her mind.
She checked the wardrobe first. Nothing. Then the drawers. Still nothing.
With a small frown, she crouched down and peeked under the bed, expecting to find the familiar worn-out box that carried the last remnants of her old life. But there was nothing there except dust.
Liora bit her lip, a small crease forming between her brows.
Her things weren't important to anyone else, so it was unlikely they had been stolen. Maybe Mira and Lily had stored them somewhere?
Determined to find out, she gathered the hem of her skirts and made her way towards the kitchens, where she knew she would find her maids.
The estate was vast, and even though she had been here for a full day, she still didn't know her way around properly. The corridors stretched endlessly, each turn leading to more unfamiliar hallways, but she walked with purpose, nodding at the passing servants who bowed upon seeing her.
The scent of freshly baked bread grew stronger as she approached the kitchen doors. Stepping inside, she was greeted by the warmth of the large ovens and the sound of sizzling oil. The cooks were busy preparing meals, their hands moving swiftly as they chopped vegetables and stirred pots.
Mira was standing near the stone counters, helping an older maid arrange trays of food, while Lily was excitedly chatting with a younger kitchen girl.
"Mira," Liora called softly, but the noise of the kitchen drowned out her voice.
She stepped forward and placed a hand on Mira's shoulder. The maid turned, startled, before quickly bowing.
"Madam! What are you doing here?"
Liora offered a small smile. "I was looking for you."
Mira exchanged glances with Lily before asking, "Is something wrong?"
Liora hesitated for a moment before saying, "My belongings…and all other the things I brought from the Miral family. I can't seem to find them in my room."
"..."
Mira's eyes widened slightly. "Oh! I think one of the servants stored them away. I'll go find out where they were kept.
Liora wasn't that eager to receive her belongings, so she dismissed Mira's worry. "No need to hurry. Finish your work first." She didn't want Mira to get into trouble for abandoning her tasks incomplete.
Just then, the kitchen door creaked open, and Beatrice marched in, her feet moving swiftly, her brows furrowed in annoyance. She didn't see Liora at first; her attention was on the messenger following behind her.
"It's impossible," Beatrice muttered to herself. "That steward thinks it's a breeze, but Master Lucien never pays any mind to me. And now, my master is asking me to make use of the new concu.."
Her words stopped short. Her gaze fell on Liora,standing by the wooden counter.
"..." There was a silence that swelled between them. Beatrice's lips pinched into a thin line, her thoughts reeling as she remembered that Queen Dowager had a liking for this girl as she chose her for Master. That meant Liora was not someone to be trifled with.
But Liora noticed something else in this case. She looked at the chance. Sitting idle all day put her on edge, and if she could keep herself busy with domestic chores, she would not have to stay in her room, waiting for something to occur and maybe engaging in tasks will make her feel better too.
Liora stepped forward, her voice even when she asked. "Madam, did Master Lucien request that you allow me to assist with the housework?"
Beatrice tensed. For an instant, she stared blankly, as if she had no notion of what to say. The words stuck in her throat, and her face flickered between calculation and annoyance.
Liora waited for her to speak. Beatrice ground her jaw, her hand closing harder around the message scroll clutched in her fist.
This girl… was she trying to mock her? Or was she genuinely asking?.
The kitchen had gone silent.
The servants exchanged glances, their hands pausing over their work. They had all heard Beatrice's words. 'Did Master really ask her to do that?'
Beatrice herself wasn't sure.
She knew Lucien well enough; he hadn't shown the slightest interest in his concubine. Even on the night of their vows, he had worn the swan-white robes gifted by his late wife. That alone was enough to tell Beatrice that he wanted nothing to do with this new woman.
If Lucien had no desire for a concubine, then wasn't she, as the head stewardess, doing him a favor by keeping this girl occupied elsewhere?
Still, she had to be careful.So Straightening her posture,
"Ahemm..." she cleared her throat, closing her eyes briefly as if to summon authority before stepping closer to Liora.
"Yes," she said finally, tilting her chin up. "Master did ask me to inform you to put yourself to use."
She let the words settle before continuing.
"That would include cooking, cleaning, laundry, gardening… all of it." Beatrice folded her arms, watching Liora's face carefully. "Will that be possible for you, madam?"
She expected hesitation from Liora, or maybe resistance. As most concubines would scoff at such work, especially one from a rich family background and even if they belong to a house with sufficient income. That's what everyone assumed Liora was would be an inexperienced, spoiled girl who had come from a comfortable household, unprepared for real labor.
But Liora simply nodded. "Yes."
Beatrice raised a brow to Liora's answer.
Mira and Lily, on the other hand, reacted instantly.
Mira's fingers wrapped around Liora's wrist, her grip firm as she shook her head. "No, madam."
Lily mirrored her, eyes wide with concern. "You don't have to do this."
But Liora only smiled.
"It's fine."
Beatrice, satisfied with the answer, gave a nod. "Good, then." With that, she turned away, barking orders for the other servants to get back to work. The kitchen came alive again, the moment of shock passing as quickly as it had come.
Liora stepped forward. "What should I do first?"
Beatrice gave her a once-over, taking in the fine silk of her concubine robes, the delicate embroidery, and the way the fabric draped in soft folds.
"Not like this," she said, waving a hand. "You'll ruin your clothes."
Turning to one of the nearby maids, she ordered, "Bring her something simple to wear."
The maid rushed off, and as soon as she left, Mira and Lily pulled Liora to the side.
Mira's voice was low, urgent. "Madam, why are you doing this? You don't need to."
Lily, more frustrated than worried, sighed. "You're too easygoing."
Liora held their gazes, her expression unreadable by them for a moment.
Then, softly, she said, "I need to do something."
She glanced around, "I am new and don't even belong here. They don't want me here. And Master doesn't want me either." She sighed. "But running away isn't an option. So I need to find my place and purpose."
Mira and Lily exchanged glances, neither knowing what to say and they weren't convinced.
-------
The maid hesitated before handing over the clothes.
She didn't meet Liora's eyes as she placed the folded garments in her hands. When Liora murmured a quiet "Thank you," the girl only gave a small scoff under her breath before turning on her heel and walking away.
Mira's teeth clenched at the blatant rudeness.
She took a step forward, with her dark expression, fully prepared to go after the maid and give her a piece of her mind.
But before she could move, Liora reached out, placing a gentle hand on her wrist.
"It's okay, Mira." Her voice was calm, steady. "I don't want you to react over things like this."
Mira looked at her, frustrated. "But..."
Liora shook her head. "Remember, I was sent here for a purpose...to be Master's concubine." Her tone didn't hold any bitterness, just quiet acceptance. "That hasn't changed. And…"
Before she could finish, a sharp voice interrupted.
"If you're done talking, you were supposed to be helping."
Beatrice's words cut through the air, drawing their attention.
Liora paused, exhaled softly, then nodded. "Of course."
Without another word, she turned and walked back to her room to change.
When she returned, she no longer looked like the concubine of a noble household.
The dress she now wore was plain, khaki-colored, made from rough fabric meant for workers working at the estate. Her long brown hair had been neatly braided into two simple plaits, keeping it away from her face. Without the elaborate accessories and the light powders that Mira and Lily usually applied on her skin, her skin looked softer, more natural. Though her cheeks weren't as full as they once were, a healthy glow remained on her fair complexion.
Beatrice looked at her, for a moment, she said nothing, merely observing the lady infront of her.
Then, with a sharp nod, she handed Liora a broom.
"Clean the backyard."
Liora took the broom without hesitation. "Understood."
She made her way outside, the sound of the wooden handle tapping against the stone floors echoing softly in the hall.
The backyard was vast, surrounded by high stone walls that cast long shadows over the ground. The trees swayed gently in the breeze, their leaves rustling softly.
Liora got to work.
As she moved the broom across the stone path, her thoughts drifted.
She felt at peace doing this. The repetition of the motion, the light strain in her arms, it was familiar and comforting, in a way.
She couldn't return to the Miral household. That was clear, Her aunt had made sure of that and her uncle had never spoken for her, never once defended her.
The only person who had ever cared for her, who had ever been on her side, was her grandmother.Liora's grip on the broom tightened slightly, she missed her more than anything. And she could only hope that her grandmother had other family members to comfort her, that she wasn't left alone after Liora was sent away.
And even if her uncle had told her that Liora had been married off, would that bring her peace? would not it hurt her if she knew the truth?
Liora let out a small breath as she did know the answer but she also knew was that Lucien didn't want her. That much was obvious.
So she had to find another reason to be here.
If he would never acknowledge her as his concubine, then she would simply find another role for herself.
She wasn't going to waste away in a place that didn't want her.
And if keeping the estate in order was the only thing she could do...
Then she would do it.. until she find purpose of her life.