Michael examined the approaching Melody, his body tense. As someone who was now under her father's employ as a butler, he was essentially her servant as well. It wouldn't take much for the girl to make his life miserable if she wished it.
And from the first impression he had of this little lady, he wouldn't be surprised if she indeed held a vendetta against him. After all, she was admonished in front of many of the servants last night.
However, Michael swallowed his unease and bowed elegantly.
"Good evening, young miss." He said evenly.
"Michael was it?" She asked, her small lips curled up slightly.
"Yes… Is there something I can help you with?"
With his head still lowered, Michael braced himself for whatever curse or abuse she would throw his way. But after a few moments passed, the girl had said nothing, causing him to question his own hearing.
Raising his head, he saw Melody with her mouth open, as if trying to form some words.
"Young miss, are you okay?" he asked, genuinely concerned.
However, his prompting caused her cheeks to redden slightly, followed by a look of anger. "I—I'm sorry," she said, the words sounding foreign from her doll-like lips.
Huh? She's apologizing?
Michael blinked incredulously, staring at her as if she had three heads.
But this only seemed to stir her anger even more. The girl harrumphed and turned on her heel, her shoes tapping against the hallway as she proceeded to leave just as quickly as she'd arrived.
His body didn't move as he watched her figure swiftly retreat, not once turning back.
"What the hell just happened?" he muttered.
A heavy hand landed on his shoulder, followed by some muffled giggles. "Isn't the young miss cute?" Shirley said brightly.
"R-Right…" he managed to reply, keeping his real thoughts to himself.
"Oh, I almost forgot," the maid perked up, "your first tutoring session begins tonight. You should probably get a move on, otherwise you won't have enough time for dinner."
"Tutoring?" Michael felt his heart thump loudly in excitement, this was what he'd been looking forward to the most.
As if sensing his excitement, Shirley nudged him, "I know you're excited to be close to the young miss, but make sure you pay attention to the teacher okay?" she added, giving him a wink.
"Sorry?" his heart dropped.
"You heard what I said," she doubled down, pushing him towards the hall, "Now go quickly, I'll come fetch you tomorrow morning to go see Vaughn."
Before he knew it, Michael was making his way down the hall, his mood now gloomy. His excitement for being tutored was tarnished knowing he would need to participate alongside Melody.
Though they'd only had a couple of interactions, it was clear that she did not like him for whatever reason. Even now, Michael wasn't why.
I can't let it get to me, Michael let out a sigh, this is a great opportunity given to me by Lord Winterborne, I need to make the most of it.
After giving himself a small pep talk, the young boy made his way to the servant's quarters and was met with a bunch of friendly faces.
"How was your first day kid?" One of the gardener's he'd worked with today flashed him a smile.
Before he knew it, Michael was swept into small talk with many of the other servants who welcomed him warmly. A fresh plate of food was set down in front of him by one of the off-duty maids.
"Eat it while its hot." She said, ruffling his hair slightly on her way past.
"T-Thank you,"
The bustling and warm atmosphere was not something he'd ever experienced before. As the son of a lord, he was often taken to dinner party's and events, but he was largely ignored by everyone apart from his mother.
Yet here, even though he was by all means a child, these servants treated him like one of their own.
Michael felt his lips subconsciously tighten into a smile. The thought that this would be his new home from now on filled him with an optimism he hadn't thought possible.
I'm doing okay mom… he said in his heart, picking up his fork and digging into his plate of food.
"Honey, what's wrong?" A voice spoke up beside him, filled with concern.
With a mouth full of food, Michael turned his head to see who had asked him, but his vision was blurred.
Huh? What's happening?
Then he felt something warm and wet trickle down his face.
I'm crying? But… I don't know why.
Feeling slightly embarrassed, Michael wiped away at the tears with his sleeve, forcing a smile. "I'm alright, maybe just a little tired," he admitted, returning to his food.
Thankfully, no one called him out on his obvious lie. It was as if everyone had wordlessly agreed to leave him be.
After eating, Michael then made his way to the library where his tutoring session was meant to take place. Having worked until late, he didn't have time to get changed, not that he owned any other clothes just yet.
He was a little more familiar with the large Winterborne mansion now, so finding the library wasn't difficult. As he opened the door, the musty smell of old books entered his nose, calming him almost immediately.
Large windows made up the western wall, giving sight to the sun dipping below the horizon. A warm orange color lit up the room, illuminating the neat and cosy library.
Bookcases adorned the walls, their height reaching the twenty feet ceiling, filled with books. A fireplace stood at the southern wall, primed with firewood, a few sophisticated wooden chairs set up nearby.
The room screamed comfort and tranquility.
Michael could imagine himself staying here for hours, listening to the crackling of the fireplace while he poured through the thousands of books.
He was interrupted by the sound of the door opening behind him, revealing a man dressed in a black suit and bow tie, a cane held deftly in his right hand.
Michael's eyes evaluated the unfamiliar man. He had a pale complexion, his hazel eyes shining with intelligence. The brown hair atop his head was messy, as if he'd just woken up out of bed despite it already being dusk.
He looks so young…
The man gave him a small smile, "You must be Michael, my newest student. It's a pleasure to meet you," he said, extending his left hand for a handshake.
This guy is the tutor!?