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After the training, I was exhausted.

We trained for two hours straight.

I mean, he knew I was new to this thing, but still didn't hesitate to give me more hours of pain.

I thanked him, for his hard work and left.

He still didn't meet my eyes, so I assumed, he hadn't anything to tell me.

I might have been treating him—no everyone very coldly.

But I had every right to treat him

like that.

Neither knew I what his past life was like, nor knew he who I am now.

After a refreshing bath, I changed into my dress. Without the corset.

No way in hell would I wear that inside of the mansion.

It's a torture, so it's understandable.

I called Marriel and ordered her to bring some tea, so the three of us could drink together later.

„Marriel!", I accidentally shouted out loud.

She was just about to leave the room to get what I ordered.

„Yes, my Lady?"

„Actually bring for one more."

„For...one more?"

I nodded.

"As you wish, my Lady."

Marriel was a quiet yet strong opinionated person.

She was a few years older than me.

She was a person who couldn't show much of her emotions.

But I liked that.

Now that I was in my study, I scribbled some information down.

I was noting down everyone's features, opinions and relations.

I looked to the right corner of the desk, where a calendar was.

Nieva Bellen. She will be here tomorrow.

I stopped myself from tapping my index finger onto the desk.

This upcoming meeting made me really nervous.

She might be so different.

What if she notices the small, well actually big changes?

Whatever.

The three knocks on the door brought me back to reality.

"Come in."

"Lady Zephyra."

The deep voice came out hoarsely. I could guess who it was.

Luan.

"I already said that you could come in."

I said loudly.

He stepped forward, the door still open.

"You are right." He said, as he looked down on wooden floor.

Since this study was on the highest and last floor, the the floor was also different.

"You called me."

"I know.

Do you hate me?"

He looked up, very confused. As if I said something wrong or something out of place.

"Excuse me?"

"Never mind."

So he didn't care afterall.

I did bother me. I was almost humiliating him, in front of other knight's, but he still did his duty as a knight, following my orders.

"If you mean, what happened almost two weeks ago, no, I don't hate you. I rather would call it an honor working for you."

He said calmly his face still remaining neutral.

I didn't understand. Why did he then talk bad about me?

"Why did you then?"

"What?"

"Why did yo—"

Marriel entered, looking confused.

I told Mina and Marriel that whenever the door stays open, they could just come in. It might be possible that I could get into a dangerous situation, while being in the mansion. At least, I could count on them for that.

"Anyway, come over, sit there."

At first he stood still, not knowing that I was talking to him. But as I looked up to to catch his eyes, followed by a face full

of questions, he sat on the couch.

"Did you tell Mina to come?"

I asked Marriel, while she poured down some delicious tea into the cup.

"Yes, my Lady. She will be here in a moment."

I looked up to her and smiled as a thank you.

She smiled back.

For the first time, she smiled that long.

I was happy, that I could let someone smile, just by saying thank you.

"Thank you, Marriel."

"Nothing to thank for my lady. I should be the one thanking you, since I'm able to sit next you, enjoying some delicious tea."

I slightly widened my eyes. Afterall, someone was enjoying my company.

I gave off another smile, while I felt a gaze over Marriel and I.

Luan, eventually wondering what kind of relationship a merely maid and a noble lady can have.

Instead, he was just staring at us.

"My Lady, excuse me for my tardiness! I have—"

Mina said loud, storming in. She immediately stopped as she saw Luan sitting next to me.

She narrowed her eyes.

"Why is he here?"

She was pouting. She was always pouting whenever something or someone happened to be here so suddenly. Most of the time, she really was pissed off whenever that happened.

"Mina."

I looked over to her, seeing the documents she carried.

"My Lady."

She was out of her breath, as if she ran before she came in.

I sighted out loud, but was smiling mentally.

"You are perfectly on time, don't worry. Just put the documents on my desk. Now, sit."

She immediately did what I said.

Marriel poured down some tea for Mina.

She was still breathing heavily.

"Mina, do you need some fresh air? You don't look good." I asked worried.

I stopped.

I was worried.

I cared for her.

For a character.

From a book.

"Thank you, my Lady, for your generosity! But I feel fine, I rather would be with my Lady. Sitting next to her is like a blessing."

And there it was again, her fangirling.

While saying these kind words, she looked over to Luan, narrowing her eyes. Luan was obviously very uncomfortable in that situation, not knowing why a maid was looking suspiciously and full of dislike at a knight like that, while praising her lady.

He cleared his throat, about to say something.

But it was unusally quiet. So quiet that it was quiet awkward.

"Let's talk."

I said, closing my eyes while taking a sip of my tea.

The silence interrupted my thinking.

"So, Luan. How long have you been here?"

"For almost two years, my Lady."

He answered my questions with much thoughts.

He always hesitated, or thought before giving me an answer. I noticed that he didn't even touch his cup, so I assumed he either didn't trust me, or he was uncomfortable.

"You may leave."

I said taking another sip from my cup which Marriel already poured tea two times in.

As soon as he realized that I meant him, he locked his eyes with me, as if he was saying, Can I?

"I don't like to repeat myself."

"As you wish, my Lady."

"Wait, I forgot."

He was now standing in front of the door, which was still open.

"I want you to come tomorrow. So be ready."

I said without changing any of my features, staying neutral.

He looked around, avoided eye contact and nodded, before stepping out.

Mina closed the door. Marriel was still sitting next to me.

"But my Lady, Lady Bellen wants to visit you tomorrow!" Mina looked to me, trying to figure out what I was thinking.

"I know." I said.

"So, are you going to cancel it, my Lady?" Marriel looked up to me.

"No. I will not."

"Then..." Marriel started, but couldn't say anything further.

"I'll visit some place with him after the meeting."

I said, looking at Marriel and then Mina.

I could tell that she was panicking mentally.

"Don't worry, I won't go anywhere dangerous. I have a place in my mind. I might even take Sir Kian also with me. But I'm not sure of that yet."

"I don't want to sound disrespectful, but where are you going, my Lady?" Marriel was looking at me curiously. Honestly, her face she makes when she is curious is very cute. I'm not used to seeing her so worked up.

"A place, where I can make an opinion about this Empire."

I smiled at them, while knowing I'll still deteste this system.