The turning pages caused a delicate, crumpling sound, fingers elegantly drifting across the lines.
"Interestingly enough, he is the perfect image that... a silver spoon should have..."
"I agree, perhaps of the worse kind..."
Cutting her off mid-sentence "That is what the rumors say..."
"...yes, but there ought to be some truth if they are that widely spread..."
"Emily."
"My apologies, young lady."
"...It's fine, but perhaps that is something that is to be taken note of..."
"Understood."
"How long?"
"About 30 minutes, young lady."
Black eyes stared toward Emily, clearly in displeasure, taken aback, slightly bowing down as much her surrounding space allowed her; Emily quickly blurted out, "My apologies, Miss Elizabeth."
Elizabeth sighed deeply at the reaction, "Never mind, I have left you with father for too long I guess...Anyways, it makes it 62 minutes in total."
"Yes, Miss"
"A golden gate..."
A black Veritas Vitesse elegantly cruised through the golden gates, revealing a grand, immaculate white palace set in the distance. The contrast was so striking that the palace appeared almost foreign against its pristine white backdrop.
"Blimey!!" Emily's eyes sparkled as she took in the luxury of the place.
"The book remains unread, Emily," her eyes looking forward held a deep meaning.
Quickly regaining her composure, Emily responds, "Understood Miss Elizabeth."
[What is there to be so amused about...]
Aurora Palace was more than a regal estate; it stood as a symbol, heralding the dawn of a new era. Signifying the 'beginning of light', it boldly and distinctly marked the difference in class, setting the standard for opulence and superiority for those who resided within. And this idea just didn't sit well with her.
[Extravagance...]
----------------------------------------
"Please this way, I will be leading you to the waiting room," the servant said, guiding the two ladies toward a luxurious chamber. "Please take a seat, what would you like have?"
"No need, please notify your master of our arrival," Emily replied.
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
"Ah, the master is—" the servant suddenly paused looking toward the door from which he just entered through with the young ladies.
Just the next moment, an old man entered answering the question on his behalf "The young master is currently having breakfast. I ask for your understanding." gesturing the servant to leave.
The room fell silent.
Emily's nervousness was raising by every second going by, with other two people in room having their eyes locked with each other.
"It is a great honor to be in presence of Sir Dugg" exclaimed Elizabeth with a slight bow.
"You are the esteemed guest of my master. Please, do not put this old man to shame." bowing back.
The silence 2
[Are they doing it on purpose???!!!] as Emily's complexion began pale.
"Is..is there a way to meet Sir Laurance early, the matter at hand is urgent..." this time Emily breaking the silence.
"Please be understanding—"
"I insist" Elizabeth stated interrupting the old Dugg.
This time the silence didn't last long.
"...Please wait for a moment." old Dugg exited the chamber coming back in few moments.
"Please follow me to the dining room" leading the two ladies "have you had your breakfast young ladies?"
"Not yet" Elizabeth remarked.
", and for this young miss?" as Dugg turned to Emily.
"ye..yes, but I can eat salad." to which Emily flushed.
"huhuhu, Miss Emily does not need to be this hard on herself"
"I am not..." Emily turned redder out of frustration.
[Kyaa! Sir Dugg know my name!] with stars twinkling within her.
Elizabeth nodded to Emily gesturing her to calm down.
After a few turns they arrived at doors of the dining room.
"We have arrived" exclaimed old Dugg while gesturing the doorkeeper to open the door.
[It's finally the time] Elizabeth straightened her back even more.
The majestic doors, adorned with intricate gold trim, swung open, revealing a vast dining room bathed in a soft, dim light. With curtains covering every window in the room, it seemed nothing less.
"Please take your seats," he gestured gracefully, prompting the servants to assist the ladies.
In agreement, the ladies settled into the plush chairs at the near end of the expansive dining table. Before them, a banquet of delicacies adorned the table, each emitting its own enticing aroma.
The dishes were presented on fine bone china, matching to the opulence of the palace—white and golden, which the only color in the whole palace.
[Just how much does he like this combination?]
"Please feel free to ring the bell if you require anything," Dugg stated before discreetly exiting the dining room.
[...Wasn't he having breakfast?]
Elizabeth surveyed the apparently vacant room.
[...Wasn't Sir's intention to bring us here to meet Laurance?]
"Umm,... Miss Elizabeth?"
"Yes I know Emily..." clearly annoyed.
"Should I call them back?"
"No need," she replied, her eyes furrowing in thought.
[Are they?... No, there is no way... why would they?...but, what if they are indeed trying to ignore me...]
"This Laurance is..."
Elizabeth stopped mid-sentence, noticing a curtain fluttering in the wind. It was peculiar because the others weren't moving, indicating that the window was open...
She glanced toward Emily, her eyes narrowing as she gestured toward the same direction.
There, amidst the delicate dance of the curtain, was a subtle silhouette, hinting the presence of someone else besides themselves.
[I...couldn't detect the presence...]
Elizabeth was now in a trance, from likely being in a 'caught red-handed badmouthing superior' situation.
Emily, on the other hand, was sweating out of fear of the unknown entity.
Somehow mustering up courage, Emily took a deep breath, uttered,
"Who..whose..whose there?"
__ End of The Chapter __