Nightshade Valet And His Nobel Mistress

Chapter 7: Dress Shop Disaster

The following morning dawned with a natural beauty that always amazed Sebastian, the vibrant colors of the sunrise bursting through the windows and casting warm light over every inch of the manor. As he made his rounds, gently rousing each resident from their slumber, Sebastian couldn't shake the memories and emotions from the previous night. He let out a heavy sigh before approaching Madeline's door, knowing that she would be the last one he woke up. With careful steps, he entered her room and made his way to the windows, pulling back the heavy curtains to reveal the stunning view outside. "Good morning, my lady," he announced softly, hoping to ease her into wakefulness with gentle words. The soft rays of sunlight danced across her face, highlighting her delicate features and making her look even more radiant than usual. It was hard for Sebastian to resist staying in this quiet moment with her, but duty called and there were tasks to be attended to.

Her voice was thick with exhaustion as she whined, "Why do we have to get up so early?" After what had happened the day before, she had stayed awake all last night. Her body felt heavy and her eyelids drooped, but she forced herself to stay alert, anticipating whatever would come next.

Sebastain's gentle voice floated through the air, breaking the peaceful silence of the manor. "Remember, you and Elizabeth are going shopping for dresses in the nearby village for the grand garden party," he reminded her as he gracefully made his way towards a room where a luxurious bath was being prepared for Madeline.

Madeline groaned softly, the memory of her planned outing with Elizabeth slowly filtering through her sleep-addled mind. She reluctantly pushed herself up, her long chestnut hair cascading in tangled waves around her shoulders. As she swung her legs over the side of the bed, her bare feet touched the cool wooden floor, sending a shiver up her spine.

"Very well, Sebastian," she murmured, her voice still husky from sleep. "I suppose I must face the day, regardless of how little rest I've had."

Sebastian nodded sympathetically, a flicker of concern passing over his usually composed features. "Perhaps a soothing bath will help invigorate you, my lady. I've taken the liberty of adding lavender oils to the water – they should help ease your fatigue."

"Oh your so kind too me," Madeline said, a small smile tugging at her lips despite her exhaustion. She stood up slowly, stretching her arms above her head as she did so. Sebastian averted his eyes politely, though he couldn't help but notice the graceful curve of her silhouette in the morning light.

"Your bath is ready, my lady," he said, gesturing towards the adjoining room. "I'll have your breakfast prepared and waiting for you when you're finished."

Madeline nodded gratefully and made her way to the bathroom, the scent of lavender already wafting through the air. As she sank into the warm, fragrant water, she felt some of the tension from the previous night begin to melt away.

Meanwhile, Sebastian busied himself with preparing for the day ahead. He laid out Madeline's clothes for her shopping trip, choosing a light green dress that complemented her eyes and a matching hat adorned with delicate silk flowers. As he smoothed out the fabric, his mind wandered to the events of the previous night. The tension in the air, the hushed whispers, and the lingering fear that seemed to permeate the very walls of the manor – it all weighed heavily on him.

Sebastian pushed aside his unsettling thoughts and headed towards the kitchen, only to be interrupted by a loud explosion. He let out an annoyed growl as he muttered, "Baldroy."

Sebastian rushed towards the kitchen, his long strides carrying him swiftly through the manor's corridors. As he approached, the acrid smell of smoke assaulted his nostrils, and he could hear Baldroy's muffled curses through the closed door.