As the maids busied themselves with the tea trolley, Zephirah settled onto a plush velvet chaise lounge, her demeanor regal and composed despite the tumult of emotions churning within her. She watched with a carefully concealed sense of anticipation as the tea was prepared, her mind racing with plans and strategies for the days ahead.
With each passing moment, her impatience grew, a silent reminder of the urgency of the situation at hand. She needed to act quickly, to ensure that her carefully laid plans remained on track despite the unexpected obstacles that had arisen.
"Is everything to your satisfaction, M'lady?" one of the maids inquired, her voice soft and deferential as she approached Zephirah with a steaming cup of tea.
Zephirah nodded graciously, her mask of serenity never faltering as she accepted the cup with a graceful motion of her hand. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice a gentle melody that belied the storm raging within her.