[i]Morning[/i]

A golden coat rose in the distance, the bright rays shinning upon the colourless leaves. The harmonious morning sun lifted itself to its mighty throne on the clear sky. The fog had dimmed and finally revealed the open landscape once again. The beams reached into the far ends of the woody room. A single ray landed upon the messy bed. The silky linens had been curled up, and clenched against the young woman’s chest. Her emerald eyes stared into the blank wall. Small dark bags had gathered under her eyes. The golden hair was tangled, and barely moved as she pushed herself up. A grunt escaped her, as she nudged her chin. She was tired, and had barely gotten any sleep through the night. As her senses carefully crept back to her, she remembered her situation and where she was. She could that the mansion had woken up. Plenty of sound was heard outside her room, and further away. Her hand was shaking slightly. 

Eliana couldn’t make up what had occurred in the night. She wanted to convince herself it was simply a nightmare, but it felt so strange, but yet familiar. The figure was haunting her, though it was clear as day. She couldn’t forget the face. The black pupils and the holed throat. The young girl frustrated rose up, trying to shake the though again. The image was far from pleasant, not that it was the first time she had seen black pupils like that. Sadly, it was far from the first time, and far from the last time as well.

Once she had managed to make herself presentable, she snuck outside. The other servants nonchalantly waved around her, not seeming to pay much attention to Eliana. She was dressed in another dress she had been given by Louisa. It was a tad less fancy than the one she had carried the day before. It was brown, and had a fine pattern running down along her body. She had fixed her hair into a single simple braid, ending a little under her shoulders. Louisa stood by the end of the big staircase, speaking with some nobleman. An elderly fellow, dressed in a greyish coat. A black top hat towered over his head, and he slightly adjusted his monocle whilst he spoke to the younger woman. Eliana carefully stepped up, bowing her head as she had been instructed to. 

“Eliana, perfect.” Louisa greeted her. “This is Duke Dunsworth. He’ll be staying at the mansion while him and his family are in town.” Louisa smiled at Eliana, gesturing towards the man.

He once again adjusted his monocle and smiled broadly at the newcomer of a handmaiden.

“Yes, yes indeed! My son – a fine young man, might I add – will be discussing some closer alliance with the King’s men, mm’yes!”  He spoke in his happiest of tones, continuing his smile to Eliana.

Louisa continued. “Ah yes, my cousin will surely be satisfied with the offer you bring, Duke. Though his army scales beyond the eye, more soldiers never hurts.” The noblewoman nodded, as another man stepped inside. A younger man, with brown curled hair. He was dressed in a light breastplate of some sort, and had a fine blade by his side. A few useful items were attached to his belt. His azure eyes darted around the room, as he nodded to himself in satisfaction by the view of everything in the room. With swift steps he approached the three, and bowed his head.

“Father. Lady Averheim. And …? “ He stopped at Eliana, raising an eyebrow at her. Louisa quirked a quick smile, turning her head to the handmaiden. She stepped forward, curtseying once again, breaking her total record of curtseys.

“My name is Eliana Metillius my lord.” She carefully spoke out, not even sure if she was using the correct title for the man.  He smiled quickly and nodded, returning his gaze to Louisa.

“Tell me, Lady Averheim. Will your cousin, the grace, be able to see us soon? I am eager to deliver my news.” He spoke out.

Louisa tilted her head a tiny bit, nodding slowly. 

“News? I thought you only came for the alliance?” She inquired, clasping her hands behind her back.

“I’m afraid not, my lady. I’m afraid not.”

Eliana swallowed a lump. She was unable to analyse the two men, but she carefully stepped back into her role of the Lady’s handmaiden. If it was even still a role by now.