Nightshade Valet And His Nobel Mistress

Chapter 2: Memories

                                      Sebastian entered Madeleine's room and pulled open the curtains, inviting the morning sunlight to enter.

"My lady, it's time to wake up," he said in a slightly louder tone, hoping to stir her from her slumber.

As she slowly woke up, she greeted him with a gentle "good morning." Sebastian couldn't help but notice how gracefully she had grown into a woman. She got out of bed and put on her robe as they exchanged small talk. "Seven years...can it really have been that long?" she asked, acknowledging the passage of time.

Sebastian nodded, but avoided looking into her eyes as he responded, "Yes, it has."

Sensing something was wrong, Madeleine questioned, "Why are you acting like this, Sebastian?" Her concern was evident in her voice.

He let out a sigh and replied, "It's nothing. I just didn't expect to be confronted with my past."

Madeleine's expression turned guilty as she confessed, "I never thought I would see you again."

In an attempt to comfort him, Sebastian shook his head and said, "You don't need to apologize."

But Madeleine insisted in a soft voice, "I do. My reaction to my mother's death...it affected you more than I realized."

Memories flooded back and Sebastian's jaw tightened. "You were young and grieving. I understood."

"But I pushed you away," Madeleine said with regret in her voice. "You were trying to help, and I..."

"It's all in the past now," Sebastian gently interrupted. He busied himself with adjusting the curtains, desperate to change the subject. "Your breakfast will be ready soon. Would you prefer it here or in the dining room?"

Madeleine stepped closer and placed a hand on his arm. "Sebastian, please. We need to talk about this."

He stiffened at her touch but didn't pull away. "My lady, I am here as your butler. Nothing more."

"Is that all you are to me?" she asked softly.

Sebastian finally met her gaze, his eyes filled with conflict. "It's all I can be now."

Madeleine's hand fell away from his arm, her eyes searching his face. "Why? Because of what happened seven years ago?"

Sebastian's shoulders slumped slightly. "It's not just that. Things have changed. You are now the lady of the house of Amberly and I...I am just a servant."

"You have never been 'just' anything to me," Madeleine insisted. She moved to stand in front of him, forcing him to look at her. "Sebastian, you were my closest friend. My confidant. The one person who truly understood me."

He swallowed hard, his resolve wavering. "That was a long time ago."

"It doesn't have to be," she whispered. "We can start anew. I have grown up, Sebastian. I have learned from my mistakes."

For a moment, Sebastian's carefully constructed walls seemed to crumble. His eyes softened and he allowed himself to really see her. The young girl he had known was still there, beneath the surface of the elegant woman she had become. He saw the same determination in her eyes, the same stubbornness in her jaw. But there was something new too - a maturity, a wisdom born from loss and time.

"Madeleine," he began, his voice low and uncertain. "I'm not sure if we can go back. Too much has happened."

She shook her head, a small smile playing at her lips. "I'm not asking to go back. I am asking to move forward together."

Sebastian closed his eyes, battling his emotions. When he opened them again, there was a glimmer of hope within them. "It won't be easy," he cautioned.

"I know," Madeleine replied softly. "But when has anything worth having ever been easy?"

Sebastian couldn't help but smile at her words. It was the same determination he had always admired in her, now tempered with a newfound wisdom.

"Very well, my lady," he said, his voice still formal but with a hint of warmth.

"Where shall we begin?"

Madeleine's face lit up with a mixture of relief and joy. "Perhaps we could start with that breakfast you mentioned? In the dining room, I think. It's been too long since I've eaten there."

Sebastian nodded, falling easily back into his role. "Of course. I'll have everything prepared immediately."

As he turned to leave, Madeleine called out, "Sebastian?"

He paused at the door, looking back at her. "Yes, my lady?"

"Thank you," she said

Sebastian's eyes softened at her words. "You're welcome, my lady," he replied, a hint of his old fondness creeping into his voice.

As he left the room, Madeleine took a deep breath, feeling as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She moved to her wardrobe, selecting a simple but

The dress was a beautiful shade of lavender, with delicate lace detailing along the neckline and hem. Its smooth, flowing fabric cascaded gracefully down her figure, emphasizing how small her waist was and making her look like a goddess. As she dressed, her mind wandered to the years that had passed and the changes they had both undergone.