~Heart of Steel~

A New Routine

Chapter 3:

The soft knock on the door pulled Isla from her restless sleep. She rubbed her eyes and shuffled to the door, opening it to find the butler standing there with a set of clothes draped over his arm.

“Good morning, Miss Isla,” he said with a courteous nod. “These are for you to wear today. I’m afraid we don’t have your things yet, so please make do with these.”

Isla took the clothes, her gaze drifting over the neat pile of garments. They were simple yet elegant, a stark contrast to her old, worn clothes. She nodded her thanks and closed the door, feeling a twinge of awkwardness about her situation.

As she dressed, she couldn’t shake the emptiness inside her. The house was silent, its vast spaces feeling even more deserted without Elias. She had seen him leave earlier, his departure leaving her alone in the sprawling two-story mansion.

She wandered through the house, her footsteps echoing in the emptiness. The grand staircase, the lavish furniture, and the quiet hallways all felt like a maze she had to navigate. Despite the opulence surrounding her, she felt like a ghost in a world that wasn’t meant for her.

The scent of breakfast wafted from the kitchen, but Isla’s stomach remained unresponsive. She had grown accustomed to skipping meals, a habit born from her father’s neglect. Eating felt unnecessary, almost foreign.

She was exploring the house’s expansive gardens when she heard a friendly voice behind her. She turned to find a young man with a warm smile approaching. He had an easygoing demeanor, dressed casually but neatly.

“Hey there,” he said. “I’m Levi. I don’t think we’ve met before.”

Isla managed a smile, though it felt strained. “I’m Isla. Nice to meet you.”

Levi looked around, taking in the grandeur of the estate with a hint of curiosity. “So, how are you finding things so far?”

Isla hesitated before answering. “It’s… different. I’m still getting used to it.”

Levi chuckled, sensing her discomfort. “Yeah, I bet it is. Elias can be a bit intimidating, but he’s not as bad as people say. Don’t let it get to you.”

Isla nodded, though she wasn’t sure if she believed him. “I’ll try to keep that in mind.”

Levi seemed genuinely interested in making her feel welcome. They talked for a while, Levi sharing stories about the house and its quirks, and Isla responding with polite but guarded answers. She faked a few more smiles, doing her best to appear at ease.

As the conversation drew to a close, Levi gave her an encouraging smile. “If you need anything or just want to hang out, let me know. It’s always good to have someone around.”

Isla thanked him, feeling a flicker of warmth from his kindness. As Levi walked away, she returned to her wandering, the mansion now feeling a bit less intimidating with the knowledge that she wasn’t entirely alone.

Despite the newness of her situation and the lingering ache of her empty stomach, Isla began to see that perhaps, in this strange new world, there might be small moments of connection that could help her navigate the uncertain days ahead.