For a Servant and a Master

Part 1: Chapter 3

"You tattled on me?"

Magnus had just barely shut the door. Morning light came into Alexander's room from the second floor window, making it look much brighter and vitalized than the night before.

"I--"

"My father was in here before the sun was even up, demanding that I treat you better!" Alexander shouted.

"I didn't intend--"

"Oh, I am sure you didn't intend for me to be yelled at as if I were a child. However, it happened," Alexander hissed.

"Mister Alexander--"

"I am willing to forgive if you promise not to complain about me," Alexander said. "Mr. Bane, do not test me."

"I understand," Magnus said.

Alexander stood up a little straighter.

He had dressed just fine on his own-- Magnus couldn't have done it better. It made him feel redundant in the worst possible ways.

........

"I need you to work dinner tonight," Mr. Davies said, stopping Magnus by the arm in the hallway.

"Of course," Magnus said. A pair of shiny leather shoes dangled from the tips of his fingers, freshly polished.

"I hope you won't feel offended by working second footman?"

It was a rapid demotion but Magnus was indifferent after Alexander's morning lecture.

"Of course not," Magnus said.

Mr. Davies hurried off and Magnus continued his morning routine.

........

Magnus stood at the entrance to the sitting room as the family and their dinner guests slowly entered. The second footman's uniform was a little tight on him so breathing was becoming increasingly difficult.

Listening to the bits of conversations was the best part of the evening. Learning who was being scandalous with who, who was ruining their family's name, and who was moving out of Parliament, and who was replacing them.

But the information was chopped and minced; he never heard an entire conversation.

There was a girl who seemed to be the center of attention tonight. She wore a pearl-colored dress, her blonde hair tied up loosely so curls cascaded as they pleased. She wore a constant smile in between her shiny peach lips. She was incredibly stunning, and obviously the object of an arranged marriage.

It was the first time Magnus had ever seen the entire family together, minus Alexander.

Robert Lightwood was just as imposing as the zeros in his bank account. He was tall and perfectly filled out, and cleanly shaven. Maryse kept with the women, her age showing on her less than on her husband. She was still effervescent though, glowing as she listened to the women around her.

Isabelle sat with the blonde girl, looking just as pretty in her own dark way. Her hair was poignantly black and her brown eyes matched. She wore a red dress, brighter than it should have been and definitely more stunning than it should have been.

Jace sat her side at a respectful distance, batting his eyes prettily at the girl. She was obviously trying to ignore it but Jace was just as attractive.

Keeping up a family image by surrounding themselves with pretty objects, expensive clothing, and delicious food was one thing but the Lightwoods had an inborn charm to them, part bitter, part awe-inspiring.