Wife of Shadows

Chapter 3 - First Glance

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The morning sun had spilled into her room as Eidel pulled back the curtains, dressed, but not quite ready for the day. She had a small smile on her lips as she looked out along the snowy scene of the mountains. While they were miles off they were a pleasant site in her room.

It had been a week since Elise had started her lessons here within the castle and was loving it. Outside her usual complaints toward her day to day activities, she was overjoyed to be focusing on her music with Mr. Montgomery. He had teased to her over dinner that if she practiced hard enough that she may join him on stage one day for a performance.

The notion of performing seemed to light a fire under her childish ambition and had her practice almost until bedtime.

Roughly pulling her hairbrush through her long hair Eidel made a few displeased winces at a few snarls. Finding her brushing sufficient she went to her vanity and smiled looking over the supplies she was given. The Black family treated their servants well, so Eidel never really asked for more. Though if she wanted things like accessories or a new dress she bought it with her own money.

At first, when they arrived at the castle she had thought some of these supplies that were put on her vanity were placed in the wrong room. She picked up the lotion that sat closest to her, smelling it and closed her eyes. The cream smelled like honey and a flower she couldn't identify. This was definitely her favorite and when she returned home she would look into how much it was. Though looking at the other supplies gifted to her she may have gift it to herself after she had saved up.

Tilting her head she began to braid her hair eyeing the vase of flowers that had appeared in her room, overnight it seemed yet again. Ever since a few nights ago flowers had appeared in her room. All different styles of bouquets and varieties of flowers. She deduced that someone had simply placed it in her room at some point yesterday and she was too absorbed in lesson plans last night to notice. Though today she had to admit was her favorite one so far.

It looked like a bouquet of wildflowers and reminded her of the ones she gathered as a child. Although she knew they would have to be grown in a greenhouse on-site, there was no chance of flowers under several feet of snow outside.

Securing her braid around her head she leaned over to smell the flowers giving a pleased sigh. She was quickly jerked to attention at the rather obvious thump in Elise's room.

Quickly going to the door she knocked gently and came in, "Miss Elise?" she questioned coming in and chuckled seeing her dressed, or her at attempt at getting dressed by herself. Eidel approached the mess of clothes on the floor were Elise sat wrapped partially in a dress looking flustered. Peering into the neck hole of the garment she gave an amused grin, "Would you like some help Elise?" she teased.

Red-faced and embarrassed in her current state Elise pouted and nodded that she did, in fact, need help.

With a couple of gentle yanks and dislodging of skirts, Elise started to look presentable as Eidel strung her dress closed. "Eager to spend the next few days with Mr. Mongomery are we?" she mused.

Elise nodded, "He said we can start right after breakfast!" she cheered.

"Shush, not so loud, stop fidgeting" Eidel chuckled trying to scold her but her eagerness was infectious. "There, done!" she said securing the outfit in a snug bow and the girl was off to the door. Before Elise could yank it open Eidel called her that she still needed her hair done before going down to breakfast. To that, the girl tilted her head back letting out an exaggerated sigh and walked with heavy footsteps to sit at the mirror as Eidel braided her hair.