It was the fourth day of the week, and the Carter estate had settled into one of its rare quiet spells. The usual symphony of clinking teacups, echoing footsteps, and light chatter was subdued, replaced by a gentle calm that stretched across the halls like a warm blanket.
Rose stood by the tall windows in the sitting room, the afternoon sun bathing her in gold. She was sipping a light peach tea, enjoying the rare silence, when she heard the familiar click of heels against marble.
Miss Flourish Carter entered, graceful and poised as always, with her usual sharp-but-elegant air. Rose turned politely, straightening just a bit.
"Miss Rose," Flourish began, her voice smooth as silk and twice as formal, "I thought it best to inform you in person rather than through Mr. Whitaker."
Rose set her cup down gently. "Yes, ma'am?"
Flourish offered a small, composed smile. "Vivienne and I will be taking a trip. It's a yearly retreat—something of a Carter tradition, though this year's may be a bit longer than usual. We'll be away for at least a month."
Rose blinked, surprised. "A whole month?"
"At the very least," Flourish confirmed. "Which means your services as Vivienne's nanny won't be needed during that time. You may leave tomorrow morning if you wish. Tonight is already quite late for travel."
Rose nodded slowly, processing. "Alright. Thank you for telling me in advance."
Flourish gave a faint nod and, with nothing further, glided out of the room like a phantom wrapped in pearls.
Rose stood there for a long moment, her fingers brushing the rim of her teacup. The house felt bigger all of a sudden. Emptier. Like something was missing—but she shook the feeling off. It was just a trip. Just time.
Still, when the evening rolled in, and the sky turned that soft lavender-pink, a light knock came at her door.
She opened it to find Vivienne, already in her travel pajamas—fluffy, sparkly, and unmistakably Vivienne.
The girl looked up at her with wide, round eyes and a pout already forming.
"I came to say goodnight," she said quietly, twiddling with the hem of her sleeve. "And goodbye."
Rose blinked. "You're leaving that early?"
Vivienne nodded. "Before dawn. You'll probably still be asleep."
The air between them shifted. Rose knelt slightly, pulling the girl into a hug. "You're going to be just fine. No chasing boys, remember?"
Vivienne giggled into her shoulder. "I won't! But I still think you should've been the one going on this trip with me. It'd be way more fun."
Rose pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. "Someone has to stay behind and make sure your brother doesn't fill the house with more flower deliveries."
Vivienne laughed and hugged her again, tighter this time. "I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too, firecracker."
They stood like that for a few more seconds, a comfortable hush wrapping around them.
Then, just as she pulled away, Vivienne glanced around and whispered, "You know, he's not here."
Rose blinked. "Who?"
"Julian. He left earlier. Took the black car."
Rose didn't say anything. Just nodded. She didn't know why that stung more than it should've.
"I thought he would've at least come to say goodbye to you," Vivienne muttered. "Since you guys are... you know... in the middle of a 'thing.'"
Rose gave a soft chuckle. "We are not in a thing."
Vivienne smirked. "Sure. Keep lying to yourself."
And with that, she blew a kiss dramatically and skipped off down the hall.
Rose closed the door behind her and leaned against it for a moment. The quiet came back, wrapping around her like a cloak this time.
Julian was gone. The girl was leaving. And tomorrow, so was she.
It wasn't loneliness exactly. It was more like the echo of something unfinished, lingering in the walls.
Still, she smiled to herself, small and steady.
"This house has a way of never staying quiet for long."