The cold beauty

As Audrey was left thinking on her own, she also turned silent. Meanwhile, as she was in the midst of deep contemplation, Sabel, on the other hand, observed her young miss and upon paying close attention to the other party, Sabel, saw a completely different Lady Audrey.

If there was anyone in the Lee Residence who knew Audrey very well, that would be her handmaiden, Sabel. In fact, it would not be an exagerration if Sabel dare claimed and say that she knew her ladyship more than the head clan ever knew his doted grand daughter. She knew Audrey like the back of her hand because they were no different from bossom buddies. They technically grew up together and if only it was not because of the difference in their status, the two girls would be as good as bestfriends.

However, at this point, in Sabel's eyes, it was as though the girl standing before her was not the same Lady Audrey that she used to know and served before.For some reason, she felt like something was off to this young miss of hers. However, she could not exactly put a finger on what made her feel like that.

The other party sure had the same feature as before; the same beauty that could cause a downfall of a nation. However, unlike before, the other party was already sporting an expression that she never saw before; the expression that she saw on her Lady Audrey's face was a completely different one. At the same time, it was as though a veil of mystery was shrouding the other party's very presence. Something that she never noticed before despite them spending most of their times together. 

In the past, her young miss did not have any other expression aside from a smiling lady just like how she was trained since childhood. However, those smiles never reached her eyes which betrayed its purpose. One glance was all that it took for one to tell that she never flashed anyone with a genuine smile, not even once. It was also for that same reason why many lamented for her beauty. They felt like it was such a shame for such beauty to be wasted with some hollow, and emotionless husk, a girl no different from a doll; pretty face with no emotion, or so as to how others used to term it. 

They saw the eldest young miss of the Lee Clan as nothing but a beautiful figurine that was empty inside. However, the expression that Audrey was sporting at the moment was completely different. For the first time, Sabel felt warmth from those set of ice-cold eyes. It was far from the usual aloof expression of her young miss.  As such, the maidservant could not help but wonder what might be the reason that lead to this sudden change. Her curiosity was killing her, but of course, a servant like her have no right to ask.

Sabel waited for a while, in case her Lady Audrey wished her to do something. But after a few minutes of silence with nothing but the sound of their breathing, she did a well trained curtsied all the while saying,

"If young miss does not need anything, this servant shall leave now."

Her voice was as as soft as feather brushing on one's ear that the Aundrey found herself being conforted by speaking to the other party alone.

"You may go now."

Audrey muttered under her breath and it was only when she heard her young miss' reply did Sabel finally turned around and leave. Right after she was granted to leave, she no longer imposed and started walking away. After she left, Audrey, on the other hand, cleaned herself and change into a new set of fresh and clean clothes.

She sat on her bed and stared at her newfound pet. At this point, Nero was busy attending to himself as he appeared to be in the middle of licking himself clean. At the same time, up until that very moment, Audrey still could not bring herself to fully believe that the little black cat was not only capable of talking like a human but he could also  turn into a large black panther at will. Apparently, the black cat reverted back to its normal size before they entered the city so as to not to draw too much attention to the two them.