Alora had begun to feel strangely lonely in the mansion. Being cared for by the maids was comforting, and she couldn't deny that the food, the warm baths, and the enormous bed made her feel like a different person, but none of it erased the fact that she was away from home.
Worse still, Lord Duncan had not returned. She couldn't understand why he had brought her here and left without saying when she would be going back. Perhaps he doesn't want me to leave, the thought lingered in her mind, and she quickly pushed it away. As much as she enjoyed the comfort of the mansion, she missed her mother terribly. She wondered how Irene was coping and whether William had been worrying about her. The uncertainty weighed heavily on her heart.
After being checked by the healer and dressed by the maids, Alora was taken to the dining room. Ruby arrived not long after.
"Good morning, my lady," Alora greeted, rising from her seat.
"Good morning, Alora," Ruby replied warmly. She noticed Alora lingering beside the chair, clearly unsure whether she was permitted to sit.
"You may sit, child. You are not required to stand throughout breakfast."
Alora hesitated before sitting. "Thank you, my lady."
Breakfast was soon served-grilled chicken, warm porridge, fresh salad, soup, and flatbread. The aroma alone made Alora's stomach rumble. She carefully took her first bite and nearly closed her eyes from how good it tasted. She was accustomed to meals where meat was a luxury, something her family could not afford regularly. Here, it was simply placed before her as though it were nothing.
Ruby noticed her expression and smiled. "I see you're enjoying the food."
"Yes, my lady." Alora swallowed before continuing. "It's delicious."
"Of course it is. I refuse to eat anything that isn't," Ruby said with a small laugh. "What about you? Do you enjoy good food?"
"I do." Alora lowered her eyes. "We just... don't have meals like this often."
Ruby's expression softened. "There's no shame in that. Eat as much as you want while you're here."
Alora smiled faintly. "Thank you."
The meal continued, but Alora couldn't shake the feeling that Ruby was studying her. Eventually, Ruby set down her fork.
"Alora."
"My lady?"
"Tell me about your family. Where do you live? Do you have siblings or other relatives?"
Alora's hand paused around her cup. The question seemed simple, yet it suddenly felt difficult to answer. She thought of her mother, the little home they shared, and William. She didn't know why talking about them here made her chest tighten.
"We live in the commoners' district," she said quietly. "My father passed away. My mother raised us on her own, and my younger brother is still in school."
Ruby's expression changed. "I'm sorry about your father."
Alora nodded. "Thank you."
"Does your mother work?"
"Not anymore. Her health hasn't been very good." Alora forced a small smile. "So I try to help as much as I can."
"You're the breadwinner?"
"Yes." Her voice became softer. "I don't mind working. I just... sometimes, I wish things were easier for her."
Ruby watched her carefully. "You've taken on a great deal at such a young age."
Alora shrugged, though the sadness in her eyes betrayed her. "Someone has to."
Ruby sighed. "You're hardworking. I like that. But one day you'll have a family of your own. Have you ever thought about what your life might look like, then?"
Alora nearly choked on her drink. One of the maids quickly handed her water.
"Marry?" she asked, her cheeks warming.
Ruby laughed softly. "Yes, marry. Don't tell me you've never considered it."
"I have," Alora admitted. "But being a commoner isn't easy. Marriage, children, food, a home... everything costs money. I don't want to bring children into a life where they have to struggle the way we did."
Ruby became quiet for a moment. "Money matters, but it isn't everything. My husband was a good man, but there were things in that marriage that money could never fix." Her voice carried a trace of old pain before she composed herself. "I eventually learned to stand on my own feet. That's how I built the life I have now."
Alora listened carefully.
"You never know who life might bring into your path," Ruby continued. "You could even marry a wealthy man."
Alora's eyes widened. "A wealthy man? Me? That's impossible."
Ruby smiled. "Not impossible. I once helped an orphan girl who lived with her grandmother marry a chief. Life has a strange way of surprising us."
Alora smiled uncertainly. "Then I suppose I'll leave that to fate."
After breakfast, Ruby left. Alora attempted to carry her dishes to the kitchen, but the maids immediately stopped her. She eventually wandered into the library, where she spent hours reading until the sky outside turned grey. Rain soon began tapping against the tall windows, and the mansion grew quieter.
Alora closed the book and stood to return to her room. She had barely taken a few steps when she heard footsteps approaching from the opposite end of the hallway. She stopped.
A tall figure emerged from the shadows.
Duncan.
For a moment, neither spoke. He simply stood there looking at her, his expression unreadable. Alora had been wondering where he was for days, and now that he was finally standing before her, she suddenly couldn't find the words she had rehearsed in her head.
"Good evening, my lord," she finally said, lowering into a polite bow.
"Good evening." Duncan paused, then rubbed the back of his neck. "I nearly said good morning."
A small smile escaped Alora.
Then she noticed the water dripping from his clothes. His hair was soaked, strands falling loosely across his forehead, and his dark clothing clung to his shoulders from the rain.
"My lord, you're drenched."
"I'm fine."
"You're clearly not."
Duncan raised an eyebrow.
"You'll catch a cold," she insisted. "Please, let me help you."
"You don't have to."
"I know." Alora looked at him firmly. "But I want to."
Duncan studied her for a moment before finally surrendering. "Fine."
They both went into his room.
Duncan shut the door behind them, then immediately reached for his soaked shirt. Alora stood nearby, intending to help him find something dry, but when he pulled the shirt over his head, she froze.
Her eyes widened.
For a moment, she simply stared.
His body was sculpted, his chest broad and his abdomen defined beneath the faint traces of rainwater still glistening on his dark skin. His shoulders were strong, his arms carrying the kind of strength that came from years of training rather than vanity. His dark wet hair fell loosely over his forehead, several strands framing his face as droplets travelled slowly down his neck.
Alora's gaze moved from his shoulders to his chest, then lower to the defined lines of his abdomen before she quickly looked back at his face.
But curiosity pulled her eyes down again.
She had never been this close to a man's body before. She had never even cared enough to wonder what one looked like beneath those clothes. Yet here she was, standing in Duncan's room, unable to tear her eyes away.
"Is this how God made men?" She whispered to herself.
The thought suddenly crossed her mind, and she almost felt embarrassed by it.
Duncan reached for his trousers, and Alora's eyes followed the movement before she realised what she was doing. She immediately looked away, but it was already too late.
Duncan had noticed.
A slow, amused smile appeared on his face.
"Do you want to see all of me tonight?"
Alora's head snapped toward him.
"Yes-" She stopped herself, her eyes widening. "No! I mean... no."
Duncan's smile grew.
Alora's face burned. "I will leave so you can finish getting dressed."
She hurried toward the door, refusing to look back.
"Alora," Duncan called.
She stopped.
"Thank you."
She turned slightly, still avoiding his eyes.
"You're welcome, my lord."
Then she slipped out and closed the door behind her.
The moment the door shut, Alora leaned against it and released a breath she hadn't realised she was holding. Her heart was pounding so hard she could almost hear it.
She covered her face with both hands.
"What happened to me?" she whispered, her cheeks burning. "What did I just see?"