Different

"Alfred is there something you need?" asked a steward as he turned to look at Alfred who had just entered the room.

"Yes, I need you and about three other stewards to renovate the office in the west wing" said Alfred as he looked at the Steward.

"Any major changes Alfred?" asked the steward.

"No not really, just change the wall paper and the drapes to yellow" said Alfred

"Okay Alfred, is there any particular shade of yellow that you want?" asked the steward.

"Yes, make it honey yellow" said Alfred.

"Okay then Alfred, I will order the new items from the company today" said the steward.

"Alright then, there is no rush, make sure to do a good job" said Alfred.

"Yes Alfred I will make sure to do my best" said the steward.

"I know you will, I trust you" said Alfred as he smiled.

"Thank you Alfred" said the steward as he smiled back.

"In the meantime, the guest room in the east wing needs cleaning, and it also needs to be dusted, I heard that cobwebs have now covered the whole room" said Alfred.

"One of the troubles of having a big house" said the steward.

"You are not one to complain, that is why you are hired after all" said Alfred.

"Of course" said the steward as he laughed.

"Well then get back to work, I will check on you later" said Alfred.

"Goodbye Alfred" said the steward.

...

"Lexi have you cleaned the room I asked you to?" asked Alfred as he was walking through the corridor and he happened to meet the maid named Lexi on his way.

"I have" replied Lexi rudely, she was sent to clean Natasha's new room, and she despised every single moment of it.

She herself even had a higher position than that woman, that was what she thought.

"Why did you answer me like that?" asked Alfred with a raised eyebrow.

"Like what Alfred?" asked Lexi as she feigned ignorance.

"I do not have time for you today" said Alfred.

"I hate that tone of yours young lady, you should behave, before you get yourself into unnecessary trouble" said Alfred as he warned Lexi.

"Whatever" said Lexi to herself.

She did not reply Alfred at all, Alfred just sighed and walked away, he was tired, today had been a long day for him, and on top of that he did not know what was going on between the Young Madam and the Young Master.

He was sure that if this continued on for a long time he had to call the attention of the boss to this.

"If I could I would have dirtied that woman's room and not clean it" said Lexi to herself as she frowned and walked her way.

...

"Mommy" called Joy as she looked up at Natasha.

"Yes my baby, what is it??" asked Natasha.

"I am full" said Joy as she put down her spoon.

"Aww that's okay my baby" said Natasha as she smiled.

"Do you not like your food?" asked Natasha.

"No mommy it was delicious, but it was too much" said Joy.

"Oh okay then dear, next time I will tell the chef to reduce your portion" said Natasha as she smiled.

"Thank you Mommy" said Joy.

"Mommy can I go to my room?" asked Joy.

"Alright dear, but remember what you have to say to excuse yourself from the dining table" said Natasha

"Ahhh yes!" said Joy as she seemed to remember something.

"Mommy, may I please be excused?" asked Joy as she looked at Natasha.

"Good girl" said Natasha as she smiled.

"Yes you may" said Natasha as she smiled.

"Thank you Mommy" said Joy as she smiled and she tried to push out the dining chair.

"No I can do it myself mommy" said Joy as she stopped her mother from pushing out her chair for her.

Joy was struggling, these chairs were way too heavy, but she gave it her best shot, and she was finally able to push herself out, she looked at herself proudly as she just did something on her own.

"Haha okay then my baby" said Natasha as she rested back in her chair and she watched Joy try to prove that she was a big girl, which was jut funny to Natasha.

"Aha, you see mommy, I did it" said Joy as she looked proud of herself.

"Haha yes you did my baby" said Natasha as she laughed, her baby really was strong willed.

"Bye Mommy, I will see you later" said Joy as she walked out of the dining room.

"Bye my baby" said Natasha as she waved and smiled at Joy.

As soon as Joy left so did Natasha's happiness, the smile on her face faded, and she felt like the whole world was on her shoulders, she was sure that she would never be able to get back to normal, and stop thinking about what happened, until she was sure that she could protect herself and her daughter.

Natasha just played with her food, she had lost her appetite to eat, or in fact to do anything, she just felt bad, she felt like the only person keeping her going was her daughter.

"Madam is the food not to your liking?" asked Alfred as he walked into the dining room to clear the table, and he saw Natasha lost in her thoughts and playing with her food.

"No no, not at all Alfred" said Natasha as she snapped out of her thoughts.

"It is very delicious" said Natasha.

"I see, but Madam you look sad" said Alfred.

"It's nothing Alfred, I was just thinking" said Natasha as she sighed, she realized that she had to be more careful with the way she just let her emotions out, she could make some people worry if she looked like that.

"If I may ask, what were you thinking about Madam?" asked Alfred.

"Life" replied Natasha.

"The way Life never turns out the way you expect" she said as she sighed, her words had a double meaning, and Alfred could guess that she was talking about someone in particular.

"I have had my fair share of ups and downs, but trust me Madam, it does get better as you go on" said Alfred.

"Yes, it does" said Natasha

"Thank you Alfred" said Natasha as she looked up at him and smiled.

"You are welcome Madam" said Alfred as he smiled back at her.

Young people just needed some guidance sometimes, and it was a good thing that he was here to help in anyway he could.