The morning sun cast a warm glow over the stately White Manor in Paris. Eira stirred beneath the soft sheets of her bed, the quiet hush of the grand estate wrapping around her like a blanket. After the whirlwind of recent days, she was grateful for the silence. Her body felt rested, her mind was calm as well after the last night long sleep .
Still in her black silk pajamas, she rose from bed and made her way to the bathroom. Steam soon filled the space as she immersed herself in a long, luxurious bath. The hot water soothed her muscles, and she let her thoughts drift. Today, she wanted a fresh start.
Once she was clean and dressed in a soft house robe, the scent of breakfast drew her downstairs. On the grand dining table, a traditional British spread awaited her: warm toast with beans, crisp sausages, fried eggs, and tea steeping gently in a porcelain pot. Eira took a seat and began to eat in thoughtful silence.
But even as she chewed, her thoughts were elsewhere.
Should I use the assistant summoning charm now? she wondered.
The idea had been circling her mind for days. Though Lolly , her loyal house-elf, handled many things around the manor, there were limits to what she could do. Eira needed someone else—someone capable of protecting her, advising her, helping her navigate the increasingly complicated world she found herself in. A guardian. A partner someone who could be her anchor.
But how would she explain it to her grandfather? The sudden presence of a stranger constantly by her side would not go unnoticed. She needed a plausible reason—something he'd believe.
I'll say she's connected to Mother, Eira reasoned, sipping her tea. That Mother hired her long ago to watch over me. That's believable… even touching, maybe.
Resolved, Eira reached into the space within her magical system and retrieved the summoning card. It shimmered faintly in her hand. With a breath, she tore it in half.
At once, the card dissolved into glittering motes of magic that scattered into the air and vanished. Eira looked around, expecting something dramatic, someone to materialize before her eyes.
Nothing.
The room remained empty. The manor was silent.
Frowning, Eira sat back in her chair. Maybe the system failed… or maybe it takes time.
A few minutes later, the dining room door creaked open. Lolly entered, her expression wary.
"Young Miss," she said with a bow, "there is a stranger waiting outside. She claims to be your servant."
Eira's heart skipped a beat. So it worked.
"Let her in, Lolly ," she said calmly.
"But Young Miss," Lolly protested gently, "what if she means you harm?"
"If anything happens," Eira replied with quiet confidence, "you can teleport me away, can't you?"
Lolly hesitated, then nodded. "Lolly will do as you say."
Moments later, the door opened again—and this time, Lolly entered with a tall woman in tow. Eira's eyes widened slightly.
The woman was striking. Tall and athletic, with short blonde hair . Her lips were crimson, her expression serene. The moment she stepped into the room, she dropped to one knee and bowed her head.
"It is an honor to meet you, Young Miss," she said with a clear, confident voice. "My name is Emma Bloom. I will be in your care."
Eira glanced at Lolly and nodded. "Can you give us a moment alone?"
Loli looked reluctant, her large eyes fixed on Emma suspiciously. But after a pause, she nodded and quietly slipped out of the room.
Once alone, Eira gestured toward the chair opposite her.
"Stand up. Come sit," she said softly.
Emma obeyed with grace, taking the seat like someone sitting for an interview—poised, proper, respectful.
Eira studied her. "Are you a witch?"
"Yes, Miss. I am a fully trained witch."
"Who are you, really? How did you know to come here?"
Emma's expression remained composed. "I… don't know who I was before this morning. I only know what's in my head now. A wand. A destination. A single purpose—to serve you for the rest of my life."
Eira frowned, slightly unsettled. She had hoped for someone familiar, someone from her past. But the summoning card had been clear—it could bring anyone, known or unknown.
"You don't remember anything about your past?" she asked.
Emma shook her head. "No. Nothing. Only this purpose."
Then, to Eira's surprise, Emma rose from her seat and stepped forward. She gently took Eira's hand in hers.
"What are you doing?" Eira asked, cautious.
"I must complete the bond," Emma replied. "A magical contract of loyalty. It will bind my soul to yours."
Eira pulled her hand slightly but didn't withdraw it. "Wait. Before you do that—I need to ask something. Are you truly choosing this? Not because of the magic or compulsion, but because you want to?"
Emma met her gaze with unwavering sincerity. "I wholeheartedly accept this. I may not know my past, but I know this is my path. And if you'll have me as a friend and ally, not merely a servant… I would be honored."
Eira's lips curled into a small smile. She extended her hand fully.
"Then let's make it official."
Their hands clasped—and in that instant, a glowing thread of magic wrapped around their fingers, pulsing gently with energy. Eira gasped softly. She could feel it—the bond. A presence at the edge of her mind, calm and constant.
"Welcome to my family, Emma," Eira whispered. "I'm in your care now."
Emma bowed her head. "And I in yours, Young Miss."
"You don't need to call me that all the time," Eira chuckled. "You can call me by my name when we're alone. Out in public, say whatever you like."
Emma smiled. "Understood."
Suddenly, her expression shifted. Her eyes widened slightly as she pressed her fingers to her temple.
"What is it?" Eira asked, alarmed.
Emma steadied herself. "The moment we completed the bond, memories returned to me. I… I remember who I am."
Eira stood. "What do you remember?"
"My name is Emma Bloom. I was raised in an orphanage in the United States. I attended Ilvermorny School of Magic and graduated with high grades and honors . I was abandoned as a baby, so I don't know my real family, but… in the Muggle world, I am officially registered as American."
Eira nodded slowly. "Well, that's something. At least now, you're not a complete mystery."
Emma exhaled, a strange mixture of relief and wonder in her eyes. "Yes. I feel… whole now."
"Good. Because you'll need that clarity. There's a lot you need to know about me, about this family—"
"I already know," Emma interrupted gently. "Everything. You are Eira White. Heiress of the White family. And my loyalty is yours."
Eira gave her a grateful smile. "Then the next step is to convince my grandfather that you're not a threat."
"I can handle that, if you wish," Emma offered.
"He's not home yet," Eira replied. "But when the time comes, we'll speak to him together."
Emma nodded.
"Lolly !" Eira called out.
In a blink, the house-elf appeared.
"Yes, Young Miss?"
"This is Emma Bloom. She's my assistant now and will be living here with us. Please arrange a room for her."
Loli turned to Emma and gave a formal bow. "Lolly is honored to meet the new servant of Young Miss."
Emma smiled warmly. "It's lovely to meet you, Lolly ."
With a final nod, Lolly gestured for Emma to follow. As the two left the room, Eira watched them go with a quiet satisfaction in her heart.
She hadn't just summoned a servant.
She had gained an ally.
And perhaps… even a friend who she could trust and share her life with her.