Michael slept through the night, waking up well rested in his comfy single bed. It was the first ti in recent mory that he’d been able to completely allow himself to be vulnerable without worry of danger.
His eyes scanned the surroundings. The sun filtered in from the open windows, illuminating the simple yet clean room. Apart from the bed he was sleeping in, there was an antiquated desk and sturdy wooden chair not far away with a lantern hanging above it.
Despite it being a little cramped compared to his old room at the Aurelius Estate, it was much better than sleeping on the streets like he had planned.
"Good morning sunshine," the door opened without warning, revealing the smiling Shirley, dressed in her usual black dress and a white apron.
"M-Morning." Michael said, sitting up from his bed abruptly.
Shirley didn’t seem to mind as she ca in holding a wooden platter filled with various foods. Eggs, bacon strips and a so steaming fresh bread, causing his nose to twitch as he breathed in the scent.
As if sensing his excitent, the woman didn’t imdiately set the platter down, holding it close to her chest. "Just so you know, you’re already late for work." She said, her expression unreadable.
"Ah... Damn it! I must have slept in." Michael panicked, worried that he might have already ssed up before even starting his new job in the Estate.
But a mont later Shirely laughed, poking her tongue out teasingly "Just kidding. Lady Winterborne already told to let you sleep in this morning."
Michael blinked incredulously.
This woman sure is carefree... he comnted inwardly.
She was completely different to the servants in the Aurelius household, not that he was complaining. For the first ti in what felt like forever, a genuine smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Ah! You smiled!" Shirley exclaid, almost dropping the platter of food.
"Can I not smile when I am happy?" Michael asked her, deciding to tease the maid.
Shirley laughed once more, this ti setting down the platter on the desk, "Eat your breakfast, I’ll co fetch you once you’re done."
With that she ruffled his hair and left the room, leaving him with a serious case of bed hair. But Michael wasn’t upset, in fact he felt warm inside.
Letting out a deep stretch, he rolled out of bed and sat down on the chair, his eyes moving to the window where the estate’s well maintained garden’s greeted him.
There were many servants out there using a mixture of magic and tools to water and trim the hedges. While it was a scene he’d witnessed many tis before, there was sothing different about it.
Each of the servants seed genuinely happy doing their job.
One of the gardener’s were whistling a beautiful song as he deftly trimd the hedge, not missing a single leaf out of place. Another humming along, absorbed in their task.
Compared to his old Estate, the difference was like night and day.
Seeing this, Michael could tell that things were different here. Even if he hadn’t seen the lord and lady’s deanor last night, the attitudes of the servant’s were enough to know that they were treated well.
For once, he looked forward to living in a harmonious household.
Harmonious? Michael thought, his mind moving to the girl lody Winterborne. Rembering how hostile the young miss had been towards him, calling the household harmonious might be a stretch.
I hope she doesn’t cause any problems for ...
Michael decided to throw this to the back of his mind, turning his attention to the al in front of him. His egg yolk was runny and the bacon a little crispy, just the way he liked it.
Using the fresh bread, he scooped up a little of both and slowly chewed it, savoring the burst of flavor in his mouth. By the ti he was done, only the tough part of the bread crust remained, since it was too hard for his teeth at the mont.
"You’re done? Good. Bring your plate, I’ll take you to the kitchen where you’ll be on clean up duty." Shirley ca barging in the door a few monts after he’d finished, forcing him into action.
For the remainder of the day, Michael was pulled from pillar to post by the young maid. From the kitchen to the laundry, to the gardens, to the room cleaning, eventually to manning the front door.
By the end of it all, he was completely spent.
Seeing his state, Shirley seed pleased, "You’ve done well young Michael," she said, complinting him. "I’m surprised you were able to keep up."
Michael flashed her a tired smile, yet inwardly he was shocked. While he didn’t exactly look down on maids and servants, he did not realize just how hard they worked, let alone how long.
It had almost been a full twelve hours since he’d woken up, yet they’d only been afforded a small break in the middle of the day.
I’ll need to build up my stamina, otherwise I might not survive...
"What ti does work finish?" Michael asked, his intentions obvious.
Shirley giggled in response, her smile widening. "We all have our designated duties and shifts, so day’s like today where you do every job won’t happen again. I imagine that Vaughn will assign you your permanent duties before tomorrow."
"Vaughn? Who is that?" Michael questioned.
"He’s the Estate Manager, in charge of all of us," she explained, "don’t worry, he’s a good guy, albeit a little eccentric."
"I see..." he replied, resisting the urge to fidget. He was currently dressed in the black uniform of the male servants, but since he had yet to receive his tailored suit, this one was rather uncomfortable.
He’d been admonished quite a few tis by Shirley on his fidgeting throughout the day.
"When do I finish today?" he asked eventually.
"Oh, you finished about ten minutes ago," Shirley admitted, "but I made you stay a little later since you slept in this morning," she said, giving him a wink.
Michael blinked incredulously, only to hear her infectious laughter ring out a mont later. Just as he was about to retort, the sound of footsteps echoing off the walls caught his attention.
He turned, only to shrink back a mont later.
lody Winterborne was approaching him, her long blue hair tied in a single braid which sat elegantly upon her shoulder. Her doll-like face was contorted, as if she’d just tasted sothing unpleasant.
Why did I have to see her now...
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