The Morning

Aelis sat across from Duke Lurris at the breakfast table.

The tables were covered with dishes and she took a slice of bread and reached for the butter. Sylla Pom was currently in Orsha's room, waking her up for the day.

Over the duration of last night, Aelis had gone over the profiles of the three ladies who had applied to become governesses after having a long chat with them. She had concluded that Mrs. Claudia Artel, the older lady who had been looking at the books in the library was going to be a fair fit for her sister. She had communicated as much to Philomena when the latter came to wake Aelis up that morning.

"How do you like Emerfeld so far?" The Duke asked swirling his tea with a spoon.

"It's a lovely place, my lord." Aelis said, "Philomena is going to give me a small tour of the place this morning."

"You can call me by my given name," he chuckled, "Aelis,"

Aelis felt heat rush to her face, though she wasn't exactly sure why. He was dressed in fresh riding clothes, judging from his muddy shoes, he probably had just returned. His hair was pulled back into a ponytail and she could see platinum strands dripping with sweat.

"As you wish..." she paused, "Remonn,"

"Lovely," he smiled at her warmly.

She had expected that he had no family, courtesy of the murders all those years ago, but it still unnerved her as to how empty the house was. Would it have been better to marry someone of high status so that there would be a reason to deck these empty halls with parties and people and whatnot?

"What are your plans for today, Remonn?" Aelis asked.

Before he could answer, Sylla Po walked interrupted by Orsha, who promptly leaned forward and kissed Aelis's cheek.

"Good morning!"

"Good morning," Remonn said jovially as he drank the last of his tea. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes! The bed was so soft!" Orsha grinned.

"That's good news. I will be locked up in the library today," Remonn said, "There is some work I have to catch up with."

"Might I begin planning the engagement party then?" Aelis asked.

"Of course. Philomena should help you adequately. You must also look into assigning yourself a few ladies-in-waiting. It doesn't do," he smiled, "For the Duchess of Lurris to not have a few ladies."

"I will look into the matter." Aelis bowed her head.

Once Remonn had sauntered off, she turned to Orsha The girl was tearing away pieces of the bread and dipping them into a slob of butter on her plate.

"What?" Orsha rolled her eyes as if sensing Aelis was about to say something.

"We have arranged for a governess for you. She will be here in an hour."

"...what?"

An irritated look flashed across Orsha's face. Aelis repeated herself and Orsha rolled her eyes again,

"I heard you. I thought we were done with the governess nonsense!"

"Do you wish to be sent to a local school as I went?" Aelis tilted her head.

Orsha made a face, "Goodness, no. I don't want to be poor like you."

"Then you will pay heed to your governess. Sylla Pom, please take care of my sister until then."

Aelis didn't really feel optimistic about hiring her ladies-in-waiting, but she understood the reason for it. The good position of a House was often determined by the ladies-in-waiting.

To be honest, she would have loved to move around a bit and explore the village nearby. Perhaps arrange a trip or two across the whole dukedom. Maybe find out a little more about Emerfeld and the Emeral family. After all, she still hadn't quite forgotten what Donna had said about all those killings.

"Would you prefer the tour now, my lady?"

Aelis followed Philomena as they explored several parts of Emerfeld. The ballroom, the gallery, the banquet hall, the withdrawing room, the sitting room, and so much room. Every hall took her breath away. Aelis was forced to crane her neck to view the artwork done in dense detail to almost every ceiling. The ballroom was so huge she wondered how hard the maids worked to keep it so neat.

"Emerfeld is..." Aelis said as they opened the doors to the gardens, "Exquisite!"

"We take great pride in our work," Philomena smiled, "The girls will be happy you think so."

"You all are a credit to yourselves!" Aelis smiled.

The gardens were tastefully executed, and separated into three different setups. The one that was open to guests, and was regularly maintained was a picture of perfect beauty, with tiny cobbled paths, evenly shaped bushed and delicate arches with vines-filled flowers.

"After this," Philomena pointed at a small gate between tall bushes, "This is The Duke's Personal Orchard," This garden was somewhat located amongst a ring of fir trees that tapered off the dense forest behind Emerfeld. The orchard was littered with lovely apple trees, that hung heavy with flowers, and a delicious scent wafted into the air.

"The apples must be lovely," Aelis said.

Philomena said nothing. She pointed to another gate, this one black located at the other end of the orchard. The orchard was so huge, that Aelis took a little time in spotting it.

"That is the old Duchess's Rose Garden."

"Are we going there next?" Aelis asked, but Philomena shook her head.

"I would advise my lady to not go there. The Duke visited it a few months ago believing it was high time someone cleans up the place, but he almost got himself badly injured."

"Injured?" Aelis frowned.

"He came out limping, claimed the garden was so overgrown that he fell into one of the old ditches the old gardener had dug up years ago and never filled."

"But shouldn't someone go there and clean up the place then? I am sure the old Duchess would have wanted that too." Aelis said. Maybe she should take on this responsibility.

"We want to," Philomena sighed, "But the Duke forbade us from entering because it could cause injury. He said he would get the gardener to sort it out soon but I believe he might have forgotten."

"I'll remind him, then," Aelis said.

The small black gate seemed oddly tempting to snatch open.