Red eyes gleard at the slapped on bord 'cleaning in progress'. Never had anyone had the gall to block off a room of his own estate.
He quietly and slowly opened the heavy diningroom door. Immediately he saw natural light flooding the room.
"The rules say not to open them."
A girls voice came with the sound of a broom landing on the floor.
"Yes but also we need to air this place out." Another voice spoke.
"What if someone walks in?"
"If thay do its there own falt, there is a sign."
"Martha wouldn't like this."
"Then don't tell her."
"And the lord? What if he finds out?"
"The lord isn't even here, Lilly!"
He stood wondering if he should make himself known. He liked there little banter so he stood still. He allowed himself to listen a little bit more.
"Thay say he walks the halls at night to check on our work." The girl named Lilly spoke.
"Then ours will be the best room. If we never open a windo the dust will never leave. I'll personally close them all."
"But Hayley-"
He placed a large palm on the door. He now had a name to the disorderly maid.
"Hayley, come to my office once you close all the windows."
He hadn't spoken in what felt like years.
His voice deep and ruff. He felt like coughing up the dust from his lungs.
"Yes my lord." Hayley spoke.
He looked at her from the shadow. Her golden hair glowed in the sunbeam. Her blou eyes faced the ground like her round friends.
He hadn't left, just stood there looking at Hayley. Golden here in a bun, the uniform was the summer one he had approved of.
'Is it summer already?'
He asked in his head.
Hayley eyes left the floor for a split second and looked at him. But he saw her make eye contact with his red eyes.
She didn't look shocked or scared more surprised then anything.
With that he left to wait in his office.
***
'Shit' Hayley held in her voice. Swet dampened her hands as she stood outside his office.
'He is never here and the one time-' her thoughts interpreted by Martha opening teh office door from the inside.
"Come in child." Martha said. Her gray hair always in a braid. Her wrinkles made her look like she was always angry but she was a sweetheart.
Hayley followed her feet in with her eyes. She saw Martha's feet nexst to hers. Hayley had cleaned this very office often but today it felt unknown to her.
"Hayley as you know I planned on returning next year." Martha started.
Hayley looked at Martha jn confusion.
"I suggested you be next in my place."
"What?!" Hayley blinked.
"You, Hayley will be the next head maid."
His voice come from the wooden dest she knew was in the room.
"Only you may look at me, walk the hallways with me."
He walked closer and closer till she saw his shoes.
His cold gloved hand lifted her chin. "And you may call me Adam."
