Chapter 5

Ernest's POV

I stepped through the grand doors and was welcomed by the sound of laughter, chatter, and the clink of glasses. Mother had told me this would be a night to remember. Grace Wellington’s return ceremony.

Just the thought of her name stirred something in my heart. I hadn’t seen her in years, but I’d been counting every single one, waiting for the day I could stand before her and say everything I’d been holding back. Tonight, I told myself, would be that fateful night.

I had just rounded the corner toward the main hall when I heard two voices drifting out from a nearby pillar. Guards were supposed to be silent and alert. Instead, they were talking like gossiping washerwomen.

''I’m telling you, she doesn’t belong here,” one muttered.

“Keep your voice down,” the other muttered. “You want Mrs. Wellington to hear you?”

“Do you think I care? All I know is, the young lady’s not the same since she came back. Something’s off. I saw her earlier; she didn’t even recognize me.''

I pressed my lips together and shook my head unbelievably. If this were my staff, they wouldn't survive the next day in this house. I heard a sharp smack, probably the other cuffing his partner’s arm.

“Enough! If anyone hears you saying that, you’ll be out of this job before you can blink.”

I arranged my dress properly, then stepped into view before they could notice I’d been listening. However, they quickly straightened at once as soon as they saw me.

“Sir!” They chorused, their eyes widened in surprised.

“Back to your posts,” I said, and they obeyed instantly, and rushed away. I stared in the direction they went for a moment, suddenly my mind drifted back to their conversation.

‘’Which young lady were they talking about? Could it be Grace?’’ I couldn't help to ask myself, furrowing my brows in confusion.

After a while of fruitless thought, I shook it off and kept walking, taking a look around while I waited for the servant who went to call the master of the house. Suddenly, I bumped into someone, but before she could fall, I reached out and steadied her immediately. I should have let go, but I didn’t. For a moment, she was in my arms, holding on just enough for me to feel her body trembling.

That’s when I saw her eyes. They weren’t just pretty. They pulled me in, deep and unguarded. I could hear her heart beating rapidly against her chest, but my eyes were fixed intently at her long lashes, which stood out even more against the plain mask covering the rest of her face.

I glanced around, only to realize she's the only maid wearing a mask. My heart sank in my chest as I pondered on it for a moment. My father once told me to be careful of those with masks.

I opened my mouth to ask but stopped abruptly as I heard a voice behind me. I turned to see my mother at my side, her expression cool. Reluctantly, I let go of the girl and asked politely. “Are you alright?”

She nodded, lowering her gaze to the floor. “I’m fine,” she murmured, barely above a whisper.

“What’s your name?” I leaned closer, needing to hear it.

Her eyes flicked up at me again, but before she could answer, my mother interrupted immediately. “Instead of interrogating a poor, stinky servant, how about we go ahead with what brought us here, son?”

I looked at her, then back at the maid. My curiosity burned, but I pushed the thought aside. Mother was right; tonight was about Grace. My beloved Grace and I didn't need any interruption. Still, there was something about the girl. Those eyes, that fragile, steady way she’d held onto me for balance.

I turned to speak to her again, but Mother grabbed my arm and pulled me forward. “That girl stinks, Ernest. What’s wrong with you?” she asked with a deep frown on her face.

I swallowed hard. The last thing I wanted was to upset her. She’d been my anchor since Father died, the one person I’d sworn never to disappoint.

“I’m sorry, Mother. I didn’t mean to waste our time.”

“It’s alright,” she said, her tone softening. “I’m just eager to see this beautiful girl you’ve been bragging about. The one who makes you smile even while asleep.”

Her words made me smile, and at the same time, Grace’s young, beautiful face flashed in my mind. I wondered what she’d look like. How she’d sound when she finally called my name after all these years.

“You’ll like her,” I said to my mother.

“I hope so,” she replied.

But even as we walked on, I couldn’t stop thinking about that maid and the way she was staring at me.