The Lady and Her Maid

“Oh Lady Marialice, I am Earl Miller. My father is an acquaintance of yours. Would you perhaps join me for some tea this evening? Your garden is wonderfully kept.”

“Earl Miller, pleasure to meet your acquaintance. It’s with a humble apology that I must decline your proposal. My afternoon is booked, perhaps tomorrow morning before the family breakfast we can meet in the garden? I would have my maid make preparations.”

“Lady Marialice, I completely understand. If you were to invite me to tea before breakfast, I would be honored.”

A chance meeting between the two individuals, dubbed Lady Marialice and Earl Jake Miller, was a quiet display in one of the many intricately crafted hallways of the keep which the Lady lived in.

The two gave their formal introductions, having only passed by each other in large events prior. The Earl clad in a white suit and tie; the Lady in an intricate white, black and purple dress. Without a word, a singular silent maid stood by the Lady and watched, matching her bow in front of the Earl where applicable.

“Last I remember, Earl Miller was more interested in your sister, Lady Marialice.”

“Shattap. It isn’t hopeless.”

After Earl Miller excused himself, walking in the opposite direction of the Lady and her maid, the two slowly walked down the hallway together. Black shoes clicked down on the tile floor, basking in the sun that came in from their right side. The entire wall was covered in windows, giving a wonderful view of the Aetheris garden.

Lady Marialice had a sudden shift in tone with her voice. Her words delicate in sound, but her choice of words were far less formal. With her mouth open, her tongue flicked along one of her canines.

Seemingly used to this, the maid closed one eye.

“Lady Marialice, last I heard from you, you had no plans for this afternoon. ‘Let me take a break, deliver me some snacks then help the others’, was clearly the language you spoke to me earlier. If you wanted a better shot, wouldn’t it be better to agree to an afternoon tea break with the Earl?”

The Lady closed her mouth, thin lips pursed as a hand brushed black bangs off her forehead. The maid’s delicate appearance, with her hands clasped in front of an apron, hid a slight snarkiness unbefitting for someone of her station. Yet the Lady continued.

“... I’m still considering tonight’s plans. With some deliberation and snacks, I’ll come to the necessary conclusion.”

“Lady Marialice, I could’ve sworn you said the same thing ten times over. Forgive me, if I misremembered.”

“W-well it’s a really life changing plan okay…?!” The Lady would blurt in response, her body turned towards the maid defensively. Her pale cheeks reddened gently, betraying her as she was called out by those knowing words. “Just give me a bit longer…”

“I’d comment further, but you’ve already completed one of those ‘life changing’ plans already… it’s natural for you to be hesitant my Lady, or so I believe.”

“Just please,” The maid would begin again, both her eyes closed for the moment as she continued forward. Her doll-like composure did not break for a moment. “Keep your voice down my Lady, others would scold us at your rash behavior.”

Lady Marialice gulped, her cheeks puffed out as she dragged herself along. She straightened out her back, and took a deep breath.

“Understood, Serra. Your thoughtfulness knows no bounds…”

“It is not good to be so reckless, my Lady.”

Reckless, huh…? The Lady thought to herself, staying silent as the two continued onward. Her eyes glued to the mystically ivory white tile below. How many times has she stepped over each of these tiles now? She ached for some dirt to dirty her shoes already.

Her heart gave slight trembles as her hand hovered in her vision. Hesitantly, she swiveled her dainty wrist around so her palm faced up. Black soot draped along her skin in the shape of an eyeball. Her vision blurred as she focused on the shape.

Whether Lady Marialice liked it or not, she was now an accomplice to a very despised person. If her family were to learn of her situation, she would be instantly branded a traitor.