He woke up late in the morning, and when he opened his eyes it took him a while to remember where he was and everything that had happened last night. He let out a sigh and tried to sit up, but it was as if his exhausted body was preventing him from moving and forcing him to rest more. He let out another sigh, a frustrated one, and buried his face into his soft pillow and rested a while longer. His body was warm and relaxed thanks to the comforting bath he took last night and the silky robes he was wearing. Silky robes… Yesterday he was wearing his worn-down prisoner clothes and sleeping in a cold dark prison cell, and today he opened his eyes in a lavishly decorated room with a large bed big enough to fit five people at the same time.
After a few more silent moments he finally had the energy to lift the grogginess of the morning off of him and sit up. As he sat up he realized the view outside of the window which was right beside his bed. He put on the soft slippers and took a lazy step forward to the window. The beautiful gardens of this beautiful manor, which was standing proudly on one of the highest points in the city, were right beneath him, and on the horizon he could see the glorious city shining under the bright sunlight. He rubbed his eyes as the warm rays of sunlight were still a new thing to see for him after a long time of darkness and cold. He turned his back to the window and walked towards the wardrobe to find some clothes to put on before he left the room to find his host and talk to him.
When he opened the wardrobe his eyes spotted the clothes and undergarments inside, all of them organized perfectly. After considering what to wear, he picked up the high-quality undergarments and linen socks. Then his eyes roamed over the clothes; he chose a well-tailored tunic with deep blue colors and decorated with golden stripes that looked similar to branches of a tree, a matching belt, and comfortable trousers in fine linen.
After putting on his clothes he made his way to the door and turned its handle to open it. As he left the room he remembered the familiar corridors and stairs he had walked in last night. He made his way towards the stairs and walked downstairs to find anyone. When he reached the last step of the stairs on the entrance floor he turned his face towards the corridor which led to the dining hall. From there Eligius appeared with a tray of food as if he sensed the newly woken Artorias.
"Ah, I see that you have woken, young guest. Before you ask, no, this food isn't for you. I am taking this to the young Lord. If you want to eat something you may either go to the dining hall or tell the maid I assigned to you to bring your food to your chambers," Eligius said while his eyes were gazing at him from top to bottom, nodding as if he was approving Artorias's choice of clothes. This man clearly preferred elegance over anything else."Thank you, Eligius. I appreciate it…" Artorias expressed his gratitude, not just for a morning without a wake-up kick but also for the words of reassurance Eligius had said last night.Eligius nodded and added, "Also, inform me once you are done with breakfast and rested enough. I shall take you to the young Lord. He would like to speak to you in private.""I… I will. Thank you," he said hesitantly. Not out of fear, but because of a nervous curiosity. He wanted to know what that man was planning and what kind of role he was going to play in his plans…
Eligius nodded one last time and made his way towards his young master's private chambers.As the butler disappeared from his sight Artorias let out a sigh and made his way into the dining hall. He could have eaten his breakfast in his chambers but he preferred the dining hall because he was curious about the interior design of it and of the rest of the manor.
The dining hall was a beautiful sight to see, the sun bouncing off the floor and ceiling. Above a mahogany table that could fit twenty people hung a huge crystal chandelier, yet the space was silent. It was beautiful, but cold and hollow.
As he sat down on one of the chairs the maid who was appointed to him entered the dining hall.She curtsied, a quick, precise movement."Good morning, sir. Shall I serve your breakfast?"Artorias turned his face towards her. She was a young woman in a maid dress standing by the doors; she had pale, sharp features. Her face was smooth, her hair was dark and long, and her eyes were brown like a deer's.Artorias hesitated, still unused to being waited on, but nodded."Yes. Please.""At once, sir," she said and made her way back into the kitchen.
Artorias felt uneasy and… fluttered? This beautiful young woman had called him "sir." He was used to being called insults in prison and before that he was called things like "young man," but "sir"? He knew wearing luxurious clothes or sleeping in large beds didn't make him nobility, but for the moment this special treatment felt so refreshing when he compared it to the torment he endured in prison.
When the young maid returned she placed his food on the table.He nodded and turned his face to the breakfast. His eyes shined and his mouth watered at the sight. Manchet, various types of cured meats alongside cheeses such as aged hard cheese and even a small pot of soft cheese drizzled with honey, and fruits like grapes and blackberries. Alongside the mouth-watering breakfast there was a nice cup of wine to help him swallow and digest.
He noticed his expression and felt embarrassed for drooling over the food like this in front of the maid who made him feel spoiled. When he hesitantly turned his face to the maid to check her expression he let out a sigh of relief when he saw that she was looking straight ahead like a professional.
After that moment of embarrassment he turned his attention back to his food and started to eat it, savoring each bite and drinking each gulp like it was the most delicious meal he had ever had.
When he finished his breakfast he felt full but not sick. The food was just enough to fill him, and since he ate slowly and savored it he didn't have a reason to feel stomachache.
"Thank you," he said, wiping his mouth. "The food was… excellent."The maid didn't smile. She didn't even pause in stacking the plates."I will inform the kitchen staff, sir."Her tone was flat, reminding him that he wasn't really a master here, just a guest playing a part."Right," Artorias mumbled, feeling the silence of the large room pressing in on him. "Also… once you are done, find Eligius. Tell him I am ready to see Lord Petasius." She offered a quick, sharp curtsy."At once, sir."
After finishing up the cleaning and carrying the dishes to the kitchen, she returned and made her way to find Eligius.
After a few minutes Eligius appeared alongside the maid. "Seems like you have rested and fed enough. Shall we make our way to the parlour for your expected conversation with the young Lord?"Artorias nodded and together they made their way towards the parlour.