While Draen took his time dressing, the tension elsewhere in the estate was steadily reaching its limit.
The Prince, who had arrived with expectations of immediate acknowledgment, was beginning to lose his composure.
What started as impatience had long since turned into something. Servants stationed near the receiving hall kept their heads lowered, careful not to meet his gaze, as the atmosphere thickened with barely restrained irritation.
There were moments when it seemed he might lash out. Thankfully, nothing had been broken.
Not yet.
In stark contrast to that brewing storm, the master's bedchamber remained warm and quietly lively.
Lewis sat comfortably as brunch was laid out before him with the spread carefully prepared and far more indulgent than anything he had grown used to. The sunlight filtered softly through the tall windows, casting a gentle glow across the room, making everything feel oddly serene despite the unrest outside.
Draen had made it very clear before leaving that Lewis was not to be left alone or bored.
Because of that, Leo and Edrik had relaxed their usual strictness just enough to allow a few of the most trusted maids inside. It was an unusual privilege, one that would never have been granted under normal circumstances but for Lewis, exceptions were beginning to form naturally.
Soon enough, the door opened to admit three familiar figures.
Neri entered first, barely containing her excitement, followed closely by Linda and Lisa, both carrying small bundles in their hands. Their steps were quick but careful and their expressions bright with a kind of anticipation they struggled to hide.
"Greetings, Your Grace…" Neri greeted with warm voice, almost trembling with eagerness.
Before Lewis could even respond, the three of them gathered closer, presenting what they had brought.
The gifts were simple but each one carried a sincerity that was impossible to miss.
A small box of freshly baked cookies, still faintly warm and fragrant.
A handmade bracelet strung with colorful pearls, charming in its imperfection.
A soft and neatly sewn handkerchief, with delicate embroidery stitched carefully across one corner, Beloved Master.
And lastly, a preserved rose petal, pressed flat and protected, intended to be used as a bookmark for whenever he chose to read.
For a brief moment, Lewis simply stared.
Then his expression softened, something bright and genuine spreading across his face as he carefully took each item into his hands.
"Wow… they all look beautiful," he said with voice filled with warmth. "Thank you so much."
He couldn't stop smiling as his fingers lingered over the details, seeing the effort that had clearly gone into every piece.
It wasn't the value of the gifts that moved him but the thought behind them.
As he stared at them, a quiet wave of gratitude settled in his chest. Back when he was Siyoon, he had always been the one preparing things for others, giving without expecting anything in return.
Now, for the first time, he found himself on the receiving end and he hadn't realized just how warm and overwhelming it could feel.
Across from him, the three maids exchanged quick glances with their eyes shining with unspoken relief and excitement.
Finally, they had done it.
For so long, they had whispered among themselves, wondering if they would ever have the chance to approach him properly, to express what they had quietly decided the moment they heard of his arrival. Not as someone to be feared or avoided but as someone to be welcomed.
This, these small, heartfelt offerings were their way of saying it.
That he belonged here.
That he was accepted.
After finishing his meal, Lewis was led to prepare for the rest of the day.
A warm bath had already been drawn for him with water scented faintly with herbs that eased the lingering tension in his body. The quiet luxury still felt unfamiliar yet he found himself settling into it more easily than before.
By the time he stepped out, dressed neatly once again, Leo and Edrik were already waiting, attentive, as always.
From that moment on, they guided him carefully through different parts of the estate. It didn't take long for Lewis to notice the pattern. Every path they chose seemed to circle away from one particular direction, the Pavilion.
They never mentioned it directly but the intention was obvious.
"Hmm… anyway, the weather's good today. Can I take a walk outside instead of going to the library, sir?"
Lewis suddenly stopped in the middle of the hallway, turning toward Leo and Edrik with a casual curiosity that, unfortunately, struck them like a direct threat.
Both men visibly stiffened.
Behind them, the three maids—Neri, Linda and Lisa exchanged quick, knowing glances as their expressions shifting with quiet concern.
"Uh… hmm…" Edrik hesitated, forcing a polite smile as he quickly searched for an alternative. "Your Grace, it's a bit too hot outside. Perhaps the museum would be a better choice? The collection there is quite impressive. There are many fine artworks and rare artifacts. It might suit your taste."
He sounded composed but there was a slight tightness in his voice, the kind that betrayed just how carefully he was choosing his words.
Leo, who kept quiet just glanced at Edrik and nodded.
'Too bad…' Lewis lowered his gaze for a moment with thoughts drifting despite himself. 'I wanted to see if I could catch a glimpse of the Duke outside…'
The realization made him pause internally, then a faint frown formed as he shook his head.
'What am I even thinking?'
He quickly pushed the thought aside and glanced back at the group as his attention briefly settling on the three maids standing behind the guards.
"Hmm, really? Alright then. Please lead the way."
The moment he agreed, a subtle wave of relief passed through Leo and Edrik. It wasn't obvious but it was there, the slight easing of their shoulders and the quiet breath they allowed themselves to take.
As they resumed walking, one of the maids spoke up gently.
"Oh, please don't be so formal with us, Your Grace. You can speak to us casually."
Lewis blinked, a little caught off guard. "Oh… I'm sorry. Alright."
"And please don't apologize," Leo added from the front, with respectful tone but firm. "We are merely servants, here to serve you. It is not the master who should feel the need to apologize, it is us."
Lewis fell silent for a moment after hearing that.
Something about those words didn't sit quite right with him.
As they continued down the corridor, surrounded by polished floors and quiet footsteps, he couldn't help but feel the subtle distance those titles created.
Master and servant, a line drawn so naturally by everyone else yet for him, it still felt unfamiliar.
Unsettling, even.
Meanwhile, outside the Pavilion, the air was thick with tension.
Draen sat across from the Prince with one leg crossed along with relaxed posture to the point of indifference. He showed no urgency and concern for the delay he had caused.
The Prince, in contrast, remained rigid as his irritation cooled into something sharper with gaze fixed on Draen.
Between them, the untouched refreshments sat as silent formality.
"It has been quite some time, Your Highness," Draen said smoothly, meeting his gaze. A faint, unreadable smile touched his lips.
"What do I owe this visit?"