Amyra was ready the next morning when Alvin knocked on her door.
"Good morning, Lady Amyra," greeted the butler as she opened it. He gave her a slight bow. "I trust you slept well?"
She had, in fact, enjoyed a long, dreamless sleep on the soft, fluffy bed. That morning, she had woken to the gentle sounds of birds and crickets outside her window. Myra felt refreshed, almost heavenly.
"Yes, I slept very well. Thank you," she replied politely.
Alvin nodded. "Lord Theodore requests your presence for breakfast."
Myra hesitated. She didn't feel ready to face the lord. There was something about him that intimidated her — his presence, the way her heart fluttered nervously whenever he was near. The thought of dining with him was something she had never imagined. She was a commoner, a nobody in this land of wealth and power. It felt like a luxury she didn't deserve.
"Umm… can I have my meal a little later?" she asked nervously.
The butler shook his head. "The lord insists on your presence, milady. Allow me to lead the way."
With a quiet sigh, Myra followed him down the long corridors of the mansion.
Upon reaching the dining room, she found Lord Theodore seated at the head of the long table. His hair was neatly combed back, and he wore a fine suit. Beside him, on his right, sat a man, and next to the man was a beautiful woman with long blonde hair. From their regal bearing, they were clearly trueborns.
The lord and the gentleman beside him were engaged in a serious discussion, while the woman looked mildly bored, sipping from her cup.
Myra paused in the doorway, unsure whether to enter. The three seemed close, and she didn't want to intrude. But before Alvin could announce her, the lord looked up and smiled warmly. A small dimple appeared on his cheek, lending him a boyish charm.
"Ah, there you are!" he said cheerfully, waving her in. The other two guests turned to look at her with curious expressions.
Myra gave an awkward smile and stepped into the room. Theodore gestured to the chair beside him, and the butler pulled it out for her. Having little choice, she took the seat to his left.
"And who is this, Theo?" asked the woman with a pleasant smile.
She must be close to him, Myra thought, surprised at how casually she addressed him.
The trueborn gentleman gave Myra a long, assessing look before his lips curved into a smile. Turning to the lord, he said in a teasing tone, "Theo, won't you introduce us to your beautiful guest?"
Theodore chuckled and leaned back slightly.
"Myra, this is my cousin, Leonard Swanson," he said, gesturing to the man. "And this is his wife, Florence Swanson."
Myra's eyes widened in realization. If things had gone as planned, she would have been working for these two by now.
"Leo, Flo — meet Amyra, my special guest," the lord added.
Myra smiled meekly at the two trueborns. Her cheeks flushed at the way he introduced her— his special guest.
"Nice to meet you, Amyra" said Mr. swanson grinning.
He was also a handsome young man. He looked slightly similar to the lord, except that Mr. swanson had reddish brown hair while, Lord Theodore had jet black hair and the Lord was a little well built compared to his cousin.
Mrs. Swanson, on the other hand, was stunning. Her long blonde hair flowed down to her waist, the ends curled into elegant ringlets. Her amber eyes and porcelain skin made Myra pause in admiration. Both the husband and wife seemed warm and welcoming.
"Miss Amyra, don't feel shy. Help yourself" said Mr. Swanson looking at Myra, motioning at the breakfast items placed on the table, before filling his platter with food.
The breakfast table was adorned with various delicacies —freshly buttered toasts, hot rolls, roasted potatoes, baked cakes, and, of course, tea and coffee to complete the lavish menu. Myra looked around in astonishment. Is this how they dine every day?
Gingerly picking up a few of the food items and placing it on her plate, she began eating.
"Where are you from Amyra?" asked Mrs. Swanson after a while, taking a bite from her toast. "And how do you and Theo know each other?"
Everyone was looking at Myra, she blushed and lowered her eyes upon receiving so much attention.
"From Fidora, Mrs. Swanson," she said softly, absently poking at her food while ignoring the second question.
Florence smiled. "Please, call me Florence. Since I'm addressing you by your first name, it's only fair you do the same." She added warmly, "You may call me Florence, or Flo —whichever you prefer."
Florence didn't know who this young lady was. She seemed to be a human and was beautiful according to her. Florence noted that the young lady had naturally wavy chestnut brown hair that complemented her chocolate-colored eyes. She was fair skinned and had a glossy pale pinkish lips. Florence noted that everything about this young lady shouted out elegance and this piqued her interest about who she might be.
"And you didn't tell us how you're acquainted with Theodore?" Leonard asked, watching her with keen interest.
Myra grimaced and turned slightly toward the lord, who was calmly munching on his food as if completely disinterested in the ongoing conversation. With a soft sigh, she said, "Two men tried to abduct me yesterday. His lordship happened to be passing by and intervened. He rescued me… and kindly allowed me to stay here for a while, until I find a new place to live."
Theodore scowled darkly hearing this, but decided not to comment anything for the time being.
"Oh dear! Were you hurt?" Florence asked, her voice full of concern.
After a bit more questioning, the conversation shifted to politics. Lord Theodore and Leonard began discussing the troubling rise of Dark Witches and their sacrificial killings across the region.
Myra couldn't follow the discussion and was beginning to grow bored. She had already finished her meal and sat quietly, unsure if it would be rude to excuse herself before the others were done.
Perhaps sensing her discomfort, Florence turned to her with a bright smile. "Amyra, have you ever been to Horlick Street?"
"Yes, I was there yesterday," replied Myra and that caught Theodore's attention.
"Why were you there?" he asked, his golden eyes narrowing slightly as they fixed on her.
She didn't meet his gaze. "I went to speak with Mr. Oliver Hutton… about a possible job."
The lord frowned slightly but said nothing.
"Will you come shopping with me tomorrow Amyra?" Florence asked suddenly. "It's been a long time since I last went shopping, it will be fun if I have you as a company".
"Long time?" Leonard cut in, disbelieving.
Florence raised her brows.
"You went shopping just last week," Leonard pointed out.
"Yes. That was last week, which, by my standards, is a long time ago", Florence replied breezily. "I feel like going again. I want to buy ball gowns this time. Do you have any problem with that?"
Leonard shook his head and raised his hands in mock defeat. "No madam, do whatever you want." Then he turned to Theodore and muttered, "Women." Theodore only smirked.
Florence turned her attention back to Myra. "So? Will you join me?"
Myra hesitated. She had already been to that street once and knew that it was ment for high class people, besides she had lost all her savings to those thieves and now she didn't even have a work in hand. Shopping was the last thing she wanted to do at the moment.
"I—I don't thi—" she began, but Theodore cut in.
"Flo, don't worry, she will join you on your shopping spree tomorrow".