Chapter 3: Memories Of The Snow

Claire walked through the spacious hallway. It was quiet as she walked past the few maid servants who cleaned the second floor. As she walked, her gaze went to watch the snow.

In the north, the snow was symbolized with memories and the cool feeling of a winter night making it feel as though time stopped.

"..memories.."

She whispered to herself, as she walked down the stairs.

Long ago during the second king's reign, there was a woman who was a poet and loved singing and reciting poetry.

A wondering traveler would ask a question at each place they met.

At this time, in the kingdom of flowerful ice, they met and a question was asked.

"I've traveled all my life and for all my plight. Might I ask, are you not uncomfortable feeling this way?"

The poet smiled and responded.

"No, the feeling of cold and helps slow the passage of time. It reminds me to remember the past."

The traveler grew curious, after slight surprise and spoke with a smile.

"Do you regret your decisions?"

The poet only looked on at the falling snow with a slight smile.

Just a simple part of a folk story but it usually made her think. It was something she heard whenever the Male and female servants talked from outside the window whenever they swept up snow from the path during her time locked in the cellar.

She had reached the base of the stare case and walked to the kitchen. Her hand went to the knob soon afterwards as she wondered what memories would be worth such an answer. Noticing her hand grabbed air, her gaze went unto the head chief, he seemed to be cooking with the door open.

"Evening Snacks must be prepared for Lady Lave with the addition of chocolate tarts for this evening"

They looked at her oddly soon accepted the task.

"O-Of course, it will be taken care of with care"

They seemed to be enthusiastic about it. Later, she decided to turn away and exit through the back door of the kitchen.

She reeled back her sleeves and picked up the trash that was gathered and placed them in the wagon. Once they were all there, she gave a nod to the driver and he was set off. Claire turned to face a snow filled path and with a wooden broom, she swept or rather scraped the snow off the path until it was visible.

It was not much snow, as she made sure to take care of it daily. The area was quiet and the sound of the wind that brushed passed sounded of a natural born whistle.

She paused and exhaled staring at the fountain, before yawning and taking a step back.

However, there was a sudden wall behind her or she thought it was a wall. It was more a person than a wall. She was not shoved to the ground as with her brothers and the madam. They also were not pushed and yelled at firmly by the lord of the house.

In a quick motion, she moved away and had done a curt formal and respectful bow.

Though, the silence remained.

"Sorry Milord, I was not looking where I was going."

The silence persisted.

"M-Milord?"

She looked up staring at a man who wore a mask and deemed blue eyes and black hair.

"Should I notify the young masters or milady of your presence?"

He looked stared silently and expressed his distaste though a blank facial expression.

"Then you wish to see the Marquees...?"

He nodded his head. He was rather tall and looked to be intimidating. He also looked to take care of himself, but that may be because of his swordsmanship training. The armor he wore made it seem to be the case. Perhaps a marriage request, the number of suiters was definitely growing.

"Then, this way please..."

She turned and led the way. Through the kitchen to put back the broom before rolling down her sleeves with a towering intimidating figure behind her.

"It's almost doooo-..ack!"

The head chief looked a bit startled as he stared at the tall man behind her.

"Head Chef, he a guest."

She walked away leaving them to pick up a tea set and selecting a few herbs. Once done, they moved towards the exit and stop at the door frame.

"Follow me"

She led the masked tall man through the manor, the stares were on them. The intimidating aura caused the maids to look away and when he looked in their direction slightly, they rather cowered and took a step back.

Reaching a guest room on the second floor, she felt his glare as entered the room and she sat down the tea set. She then turned and bowed respectfully with her hand motioning to the seats. She prepared the tea and poured him a cup as he went to sit down.

The tea cup was set down Infront of him as she rose.

"I will inform the lord of your presence."

She turned and walked away exiting the room and moving to greet the office in which Lord Le'Valro had resided in and knocked on the door. When given permission, they entered the room.

The Marquess sat behind a desk with a feather-end ink utensil. She entered the room and gave her employer an elegant bow and spoke.

"A guest is awaiting your presence in the reception room."

He looked up from his work.

"Understood, I will greet them shortly."

She turned and made for the exit after receiving the response.

The master of the house held the rank of Marquees. Head of the household and the manager of a mining business. He owned a few stores in the capital and commanded a small reasonable group of guards. A healthy seat was granted to him upon the board of noble advisors to the king.

However, she always wondered why she was alive if the rank and position he held was so high.

At most, having the first born alive within a house hold was considered bad luck or misfortune.

Most nobles ordered their first-born child to be sentenced to death. Each time she thought about it, the more of an ominous feeling she felt about it.

Closing the door, she made her way for the library to meet up with her lady.