A Lonely Dinner

A couple of knocks took Leone's attention. She moved out of the bed and opened it. Mimi was waiting outside.

"My lady, dinner is ready. Would you like to have it in your room?"

"It's alright. I like eating in the dining room."

Leone saw sadness flash through Mimi's eyes but did not say anything else.

The dining room was wide with a long table at the center. She sat at the second chair of the left corner from which the household head would be seated. There was only one other empty plate on the right corner of the table.

Seconds after, she was served a plate with a piece of steak and poured a glass of juice drink. The meat was still hot with steam coming from it.

She did not touch her food. She waited until the other person arrived. The meat had already grown cold but the person she was waiting for did not arrive.

Heavy rain finally poured down and she watched as raindrops trickle down the glass windows.

Leone picked up her cutlery and sliced the meat. In a daze, she slowly ate her dinner.

"My lady..."

Mimi mumbled lightly. Great concern was etched on her face and she sadly watch over her lady as she eats.

The dining room was wide and cold. No, it's the whole mansion that is dreary to be exact. There are only a few servants, the bare minimum to keep it clean and operated.

Besides the lady that she serves, there's also the First Young Master that resides in the mansion. She barely sees the man as he usually spends time at the study as a temporary household head while the Lord is away. She would only see vassals, attendants and servants come and go from the study.

Aside from her, that was personally chosen by the young lady to be her maid, the other servants are directly loyal to the Lord and first young master.

The young lady might be given the freedom to go outside and freely roam the estate but it's just simply a cage with an open door, confident that the bird will still return, like a domesticated pigeon.

"Thank you for the meal. It was delicious."

Leone wiped the corner of her lips with a table napkin.

Mimi gathered the empty dishes with a smile. Her lady always finishes the meal she is served as if she wanted to convey her appreciation for preparing the food and giving her time and effort.

"Please prepare a similar dish to be sent to brother. And send my thanks to the chef, Mimi."

"I understand, miss. But won't you come to the kitchen with me instead? I am certain Mister Phil will be glad to hear directly from you."

"Won't I get in the way instead? You all are already busy as it is. But I will keep that in mind."

"Well, if you say so. I will be back shortly, miss."

"Can you add some refreshments too? And a coffee pot and three coffee cups as well. Also, place a jar of sugar and milk so they can add them themselves."

"Alright, miss."

Leone walked out of the room and walked around the wide ballroom before stopping at the wide portrait. Its upper half and the sides were covered by thick curtains.

She never once saw the face of the woman sitting on the chair aside from the three young boys standing next to her. But she guessed it was the late Duchess, her mother, whom she have no memories of.

She touched the painting, particularly the ball of fur carried by the woman. It was a small baby wrapped in cloth, sleeping peacefully.

"My lady, I'm sorry it took a while to prepare what you asked for."

"I don't mind. I didn't even realize it took that long. Let's go."

Mimi walked next to her while pushing a tray.

The Lord's study was located on the ground floor. It was also connected to the library.

They just arrived when the door to the study opened and a man with brownish orange hair tied loosely to the back came out.

"Good evening, sir Kiel. I'm sorry to bother you yet again."

"Good evening, my lady. It's not a bother at all. I was just about to prepare dinner for the young master myself. You were in perfect timing I do say."

"That's a relief. I also prepared refreshments for you to enjoy with sir Brix."

"Thank you, my lady. It's just what we need in this cold weather."

Kiel took the tray from Mimi and pushed it inside. Leone only caught a glimpse of her brother seated behind the desk before the door was closed again.

Leone sighed before scratching the back of her right shoulder.

"I feel so tired, Mimi. Can you prepare hot bath water within less than an hour?"

"Of course, miss. I can give you a massage too."

"You sound confident."

"I usually give massage to my grandfather."

"Did you also learn how to treat wounds from him?"

"Yes. I learned herbal medicine from him. Grandfather is a wandering apothecary and we visit village to village before we arrived at the capital. It is the skill I am most proud and confident to have."

Leone and Mimi's relationship did not start like any other girls their age. Their first meeting was not so simple.

Leone received different kinds of threats as a duke's daughter. It became even more frequent after the official announcement of her engagement to the second prince.

The first time she got herself abducted was not even a month after the engagement which was also her debutante at 15 years old.

She could still remember the damp and moldy hut she was thrown into. Her wrists hurt from the tight rope they tied her. She was just glad that she landed on a thick stack of hay.

The blindfold was loosened due to the impact and her movements, which allowed her to survey the place she was in. Nothing relevant could give her hints about where she is. It is simply an old storehouse that could be found anywhere. Her only clue was the old stack of hay. Perhaps she's in a place with a barn, in the farmlands somewhere on the outskirts of the capital. She could not be certain but that's what she surmised.