Felix was impressed by how mindful of Emerson that the other servants were, giving him a wide berth in the hallways as well as a bow or small curtsy of respect.

Another thing of note was how homely the female maids were. Normally Felix wouldn’t care too much about a stranger’s looks, but the high number of plain-looking maids couldn’t be a coincidence.

Even the maids who had rudely disregarded Isabella by the entrance could only be considered conventionally attractive at best (in Jared’s world, but Felix wasn’t sure about this world).

Felix guessed that from what he had heard about the Lady of the House, this was probably the Duke’s solution to her jealous fits.

He felt it was a shame that the princess was letting her insecurity rear its head in such an ugly way, but if you had to live with the knowledge that you were your significant other’s second option then he could understand it to an extent.

Withdrawing from his thoughts, Felix began to observe that his surroundings were becoming more luxurious and opulent, with magnificent crystalline vases and elegant ceramic sculptures of indecently exposed models distributed along the hallways.

The walls were adorned with paintings of familiar figures that Felix remembered were depicted in his actual home, except these paintings were furnished with golden frames that added to the manor’s extravagance.

This transition in surroundings prompted Emerson to break the silence that had enveloped the trio throughout their walk.

“Isabella, I do hope that your elevated position in that house has not caused you to forget how to conduct yourself in front of your betters.”

“Not at all, sir”

“Good, make sure to remember your manners, especially in the lady’s presence, for your sake.”

“I wouldn’t dare forget, sir.”

“Right, and make sure the Young Master remains on his best behaviour, for both of your sakes.”

“Definitely, sir, the Young Master is an angel.”

“Understood, but keep your praise to a minimum.”

“I understand, sir.”

“I hope that you do.”

Emerson didn’t break his stride once as he issued out his warnings but if he had turned around at all he would’ve seen a small frown adorning Felix’s face. Anxiety began to well up in Felix’s chest as he realised that he had failed to register how potentially dangerous this meeting was not only for himself but for Isabella.

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He disliked the notion of having to walk on eggshells, but as small and weak as he was, coupled with Isabella’s commoner status, they would have to stay on the lady’s good side. This was no easy feat considering her personality, not to mention her son wasn’t a breath of fresh air either.

Felix mentally steeled himself for the coming encounter, reaffirming to himself that he would do everything in his measly power to protect Isabella.

‘Surely being one of the Lord’s sons should count for something, right? Maybe if I showed a portion of my intelligence then the Lord might associate more value to me, and therefore Isabella by association.’

Turning a corner, Felix was greeted by the sight of a plush red carpet with a tasteful golden trim leading down a short hallway towards a large, well-polished wooden door, whose dark brown hue gave off a foreboding feeling.

With measured steps, Emerson approached the door. He turned to give the duo a reassuring smile (which just came off as rather disconcerting to Felix) before knocking on the wooden door.

The sound of the knock reverberated in the hallway, and an eternity seemed to pass before a deep voice sounded from behind the door. “Enter.”

*

Emerson easily opened the heavy-looking door before making his entrance, holding the door open for Isabella and Felix to enter.

Felix was greeted with the sight of a man he had seen only once before, observing them keenly from behind a large wooden desk, which looked to be made of a similar material to the door they just passed through.

The man was sitting directly in front of several large, panelled windows which showed a breath-taking view of the manor gardens. Isabella wasn’t lying when she declared how magnificent it was.

‘Back to the stern man staring at us.’

Isabella curtsied in greeting as she bowed her head, saying “my Lord”, as Felix mimicked her bow from the comfort of her arms. ‘Not sure what etiquette calls for in my position but better safe than sorry.'

“It seems that barbarian’s son has learnt his place.”

Hearing the derisive feminine voice, Felix’s attention was snatched by one of the people he had failed to notice upon entry to the room. The lady sitting primly in a maroon cabriole was pretty, to say the least.

With long wavy blonde hair, soft pink lips beneath a long slim nose and piercing green eyes set above high cheekbones, Felix felt she could’ve become a model in his original world. Unfortunately, the haughty look in her eyes belied her true personality, and the vast assortment of jewels worn with her bright pink dress made the outfit look gaudy.

Isabella quickly turned and gave lady Isadora the same courtesy, while Felix (begrudgingly) followed in her footsteps.

“Mommy, whass a bahbawian?”

“A barbarian, dear, is a bloodthirsty savage with no manners.”

“Ohhhh, can I ave wun mummy?”

“Not anymore pumpkin, unfortunately.”

Ignoring that loaded statement, Felix focused on the small boy sitting next to Isadora, fidgeting in his seat as if he wanted to run off somewhere and wreak havoc, and he reasoned that it was his older brother Roland.

Aside from looking rather large for his age of 3 years old, Roland looked like your regular toddler. With chubby cheeks, bright green eyes and a mop of curly blonde hair, if Felix had never heard anything about Roland and saw a picture of him then Felix would think he was quite cute.

But the menacing smile he directed at Felix, as if he were looking at a new toy he would use and abuse, quickly revealed Roland’s true character.

‘Two minutes into this meeting and I already want to leave. Fantastic.’