The man frowned, studying Ella too intently, then frowned again as if cycling through emotions he no longer trusted. "Names," he murmured. "I had one of those once."
"You still do," Ella said gently. "What is it?"
The man went very still. His fingers curled into his palms, nails biting skin. As he was about to speak, a creaking noise made both of them flinch.
"Go, GO! Don't let him see you," The man stated in haste. Worry was evident in his eyes.
Ella stepped back in fear. She wanted to know what it was, but when she saw the man's face, which showed fear, she retreated.
"GO!" The man half-screamed at Ella while glancing over the walls. He didn't want Ella found, since she would be put in danger.
Ella nodded and grabbed the tray on the table before sprinting toward the door and locking it back before leaving. She felt that she discovered something that was supposed to be a deep secret.
"Oh god," Ella whispered, putting a hand over her chest as she breathed deeply. She placed the tray in its proper place and tried to clean faster than she could before going back to her room to cover up the evidence that she was there that night.
The hunger Ella felt vanished, replaced by confusion and fear.
The next morning arrived gray and brittle, as if the house itself had not slept.
Ella was summoned just after breakfast, and she looked like a mess with her darkened eye bags. The maid led her into Eleanor's study, where sunlight filtered weakly through tall windows, and dust drifted like pale ash in the air.
Eleanor sat behind the desk, her posture rigid, and a stack of papers spread before her as though she had been wrestling with them for hours. She looked up and saw her daughter.
"Ella, my dear. Why do you look like a raccoon?" Eleanor asked, squinting her eyes as she looked at Ella's appearance.
Ella smiled. "I may have enjoyed playing with some balls," she replied playfully.
"Alright, come here, Ella," Eleanor said, trying, but failing to sound calm.
Ella stepped closer.
Eleanor turned one of the documents so Ella could see. At the top was the crest of a school Ella recognized by name alone—old, prestigious, and expensive. Beneath it, lines of ink marched downward in neat, condemning rows.
"This was where William was supposed to attend," Eleanor said quietly. "A boarding school. Strict and reputable. A good school for noblemen."
Ella's eyes moved over the pages. The attendance record, marginal notes, and so on.
"What does it mean, Mama? Is something wrong?" Ella asked, confused, why her mother was showing her records she couldn't understand.
"He barely attended," Eleanor whispered. Her fingers trembled as they brushed the paper. "And when he did… this," She swallowed. "Fighting, defiance, and cruelty to other students."
Ella looked up. "William?"
"I don't understand," Eleanor said, pressing a hand to her temple. "He wrote so rarely, and when he did, his letters were… normal. Brief, but polite." Her voice cracked. "I already sent a letter last night. I told them to send him home immediately."
Ella frowned as she looked at the letters. "Yeah, let's just wait for him. I guess. I mean, that's all we can do now," she replied, shrugging it off since her mind was all about the man she met last night and how she would relay it to her mother.
"Mama?" Ella hesitated. Her heart beat fast as she tried to form a sentence in her brain.
"Hmm?" Eleanor hummed, still scanning the papers.
"I—" Ella began, but then, a knock cut sharply through the air.
Both of them startled.
The door opened, and the family doctor stepped inside. He was a tall man with iron-gray hair and eyes too sharp for comfort.
"My apologies for the intrusion," the doctor said, inclining his head to Eleanor. Then his gaze flicked and paused on Ella.
"Ah, Doctor Eddilon. It was nice to… see you again. This is my daughter, Ella," Eleanor introduced with an uncomfortable smile.
"Yes, Lady Ella. I saw her last time," Dr. Eddilon looked at Ella from head to toe before looking back at Eleanor. "I bring news. Concerning William," he continued.
Eleanor rose at once. "Has he been sent home?"
Dr. Eddilon exhaled slowly. "Not yet, I'm afraid. He has fallen ill. A fever, severe enough that travel would be… unwise. It would also not be a good time for him to return, or he might spread his sickness to the already mourning household. There will be a delay in his return for maybe several weeks."
Eleanor gasped as she sank into the chair as if the strength had been pulled from her bones. "Weeks…"
"Yes," Dr. Eddilon said. His eyes drifted back to Ella again, lingering too long. His brow furrowed, as though memorizing her face.
Ella shifted under his stare.
"I'll return later with more details," Dr. Eddilon said finally. "For now, rest is advised. For everyone." His gaze sharpened one last time before he turned and left.
The door closed as silence rushed in to fill the space.
Eleanor covered her face with both hands. "Everything is unraveling," she murmured. "All at once."
Ella stepped forward and placed a hand on her mother's shoulder. "We'll be okay," she whispered and hugged her mother tightly.
That was when Ella decided to keep her secret hidden until the right time comes.
The rest of the day was spent on Ella and Eleanor compiling papers and possible items that they could downgrade or sell for extra cash.
But when the night came, and the house was quiet.
Ella slipped out of her room. She wanted to return to the kitchen where the man was, and planned to give him food again. Also, she wanted to ask him questions.
"I should be careful," Ella whispered as she poured warm milk into a cup, indicating her safety was a must, and she shouldn't be seen by anyone.
"Careful for what, Lady Ella?" A familiar voice spoke from behind.