A Midsummer Breeze

Chapter 11

Estelle woke up with sore eyes that morning.She didn't feel like talking.To be exact,she didn't feel like doing anything at all.She just wanted to stay in bed all day and doze off somewhere comfortable.But that was never an option for her.

She tried standing up,but her body wouldn't budge.She lifted her hand and tried amplifying her body but it didn't work,she quickly felt tired and weak.

*Shit...just how much mana was depleted from me? I can't even cast a simple spell.Screw it.Now I can't cast my illusion spell.I feel like a rock.What's worse this necklace will alert Leo that I'm awake. Gosh,life sucks.*

"Why,good morning My Lady.And I have an amusing question,even if you wish to get up,where will My Lady be heading to?" Leo said as he walked in and closed the door.He set the trolley near the bed.Estelle hated breakfast in bed,never had she recalled a "good" morning with breakfast in bed.

Leo poured honey over the soft pancakes decorated with sugar powdered berries on top,Estelle was never allowed to eat a sugary breakfast,but now she had her chance.

"I will prepare the Chamomile tea while you enjoy the meal My Lady.After that I have assigned a new maid to attend to you,she will help you while I call for My Lord." Leo gave out his morning schedule as he placed the plate on the wooden table.

"Thank you...and-" Leo stopped Estelle from saying anything further.

"There is no need for My Lady to apologize.If it were to ask for forgiveness,it would be from us. On behalf of this household and My Lord's actions I sincerely ask for your sympathy." Leo bowed as he spoke.

"I don't think," she paused,"...I'll need Chamomile tea...I prefer Green tea over anything else." Estelle changed the subject.Leo relentlessly smiled and agreed to brew her Green tea instead. 

In the meantime,Estelle slowly ate her meal,tasting each bite with joy.The honey flowed through her tongue as the soft,sponge of the pancake melted in her palate.She was enjoying her meal when Leo served her the tea,as he was about to walk out,he hoped for the best.

A young maid with short brown hair greeted her new master,her blue eyes filled with fear and excitement .Estelle took one look and knew what Leo meant by "new maid".She was never a maid until now.There was dead silence.

"Do you not know the proper etiquette of being one's maid?" Estelle broke the silence as she sipped the herbal tea. The girl flinched.

"I-....I am sorry,M-Miss.M-my name is....Mia,Miss." Estelle didn't like this,not one bit.Her previous maid,who she had been with for so long never addressed her as "Miss" and yet a fresh maid is calling her "Miss".

"I'm rather surprised by how bold you are,and I don't like it nor hate it,but tell me why you hesitated to introduce yourself,Mia." Estelle glared at her using as little mana as she could to observe the girl and she was shocked at the her. Clairvoyance did come handy.

"W-well,this...this is my first time in this kind of job...a-and do not get me wrong,M-Miss.My name is Mia,without...without a doubt!" Mia stuttered.Estelle sighed and rushed to the question.

"By chance,do you know anyone who goes by the name Lucius?" The girl turned pale,she showed a face that had just witnessed a massacre.

"Answer me truthfully or I won't hesitate to send you back." Estelle put the tea cup back to the tea saucer,her teal eyes wildly observing Mia.

"Yes...I do know him.But he is.."

"Travelling."Estelle cut her in and she warmly smiled at her new maid.But for some reason,Mia felt pain as she saw her master's smile.