A Tale of One Deviant (Book One)

Chapter 141: Guests of Hope

"She's quite a character."

     The Dragon was gone, swept off by another summoned maid meant to provide the "accommodations" promised to her. The maid only got a little wrinkle in her brow when seeing the appearance of her slightly-sugared, obviously-not-completely-human-and-maybe-not-at-all-human charge. Wrinkles in brows, frowns, blank looks, focused gazes into the distance - all were currency and telltale signs of "Wait. What just happened?" or "There's something wrong here" thoughts in the minds of all servants of the manor. They were sometimes unnoticeable, and sometimes vivid. It seemed that after being a maid for seven years, Magaris still hadn't gained complete mastery of the cool, blank looks that the older servants could sport.

     "...she is."

     The lord rose from the couch, rounding the one across from him to open the door with long strides. Magaris picked up her tray of tea after loading the saucers back on with their cups.

     "...Thank you."

     "You're welcome."

     He held the door open for her. She wasn't planning on sticking around to answer his dry comments, since her whole day had been thrown off with the arrival of the guest. Also, the arrival of the lord as well. Two unplanned people had shown up - four, technically, but one was always expected to be unexpected and the other had left almost as soon as he came - and taken a good hour out of her time.

     Well, it's not as if I have much to do anymore.

     Teaching newer maids like Deena and Tanota how to function in the manor was the most of her chores, as well as checking on their work, or doing odd jobs in place of other maids gone for winter preparations while back in their villages with their families. Husbands, children, or children themselves like Deena or Tanota - although they were staying since Deena chose to and Tanota had no one to visit outside of the manor - they were all off at home.

     It was almost enough to make Magaris wonder what she would've been doing if she was still back in her own village for the winter, far to the west, with her father, her mother, her brother...

     Ten years prior, she would've never guessed that she would've been halfway across the kingdom as a maid to a noble house.

     "Magaris."

     "Yes?" She turned, standing a few pouriks away as she was going down the hallway already. She'd been going towards the kitchen to see if anyone wanted the remaining tea, since it hadn't been finished off.

     His hand fell off the doorknob as it clicked shut, swinging up to reach for his hair. His fingers ran through the limp, lifeless curls, holding it away from his face. Then, they ran down his stubbled jaw, eyes on the floor.

     Contemplating.

     However, the lord contemplated for quite a while, to the point that Magaris had to remind him of her presence. The tea was getting cold again.

     "Did you need something, Master Earl?"

     "...no. I can do it myself. You can go."

     She ducked her head, frowning again only briefly at the floor before rising with that blank face she still strove for. Turning, she left, hardly wondering what he'd been about to ask for. It must've been a tedious task if he rethought it like that.

     She didn't hear him leave, despite him wearing dress shoes that resounded normally when on the feet of other servants on the polished wood floor. It was only slightly a worry that he was getting light enough to hardly make any noise - a worry light enough, like him, that she was able to push it away. It wasn't as if Magaris was able to convince him to eat something if he didn't want to.