Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 137017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
I smiled. He gave me warm grandpa fuzzies. “Thank you for the kind welcome, Sir Edward. Our journey here wasn’t too bad, although we did encounter a vicious dog on arrival.”
Sir Hayes tensed.
“Thankfully, the situation was handled quite quickly.” I glanced at the human statue next to me.
Sir Edward’s gaze quickly flitted Sir Hayes’ way before the butler bowed his head. “I’m glad to hear it, my lady. And please, call me Ark.”
“Very well, Ark.”
“I must apologise on behalf of His Highness, the Grand Duke,” he said, head still bowed. “His Highness was called away yesterday on a monster hunt in north Stein and is regrettably unable to greet you on your arrival.”
Regrettably, my arse.
There was nothing regretful about that at all as far as I was concerned.
The less we saw of each other, the better.
“Do you know when he will return?” I asked.
“I’m afraid not, my lady. The Grand Duke extends his most sincere apologies and hopes you won’t be too slighted by his absence.”
No.
On the other hand, I was delighted by it.
“I suppose it can’t be helped. The safety of the citizens is paramount, after all.”
“Indeed. Allow me to introduce you to Madam Ingrid Arkwright, the Head Maid.” He held out his hand to the woman on his right. “Your attendants should report to her.”
Arkwright?
Ah. They looked awfully similar with the same hazel eyes and pointed chin. Were they siblings?
Ingrid offered me a warm smile with her bow. “Welcome to Stein, my lady. I look forward to serving you. Please call me Ingrid.”
“Thank you, Ingrid. I hope we get along well. Allow me to introduce my attendants who’ve come with me from the capital and will be under your care.” I touched Bella’s shoulder. “This is Bella, my head lady-in-waiting, and beside her is Annie, my personal maid.”
They both bowed their heads to Ingrid and murmured a greeting.
Ingrid swept over them with a discerning eye. “Very well. You are both to come with me. I will show you to your quarters.”
“Thank you, Madam Ingrid,” Bella said quietly.
“My lady, I have assigned four maids to you for today. They will assist you while Miss Bella and Annie settle in,” Ingrid said, turning to me.
“Two maids will be more than enough for me,” I replied. “I’m quite tired from the journey, and I find myself overwhelmed with so many new people. Do forgive me.”
“Not at all, Madam. Quite understandable.” Ingrid turned her head and beckoned over two maids. “Pippa, Helen, you are to serve Her Ladyship for today.”
“Yes, Madam Ingrid,” they replied at the same time, bowing their heads.
Ark smiled warmly at me. “My lady, the sun will be setting soon, and it will get quite cold. Allow me to escort you inside the castle to your room.”
“Thank you, Ark.” I clutched my cape around my neck and followed him to the imposing steps before the giant door.
Honestly, the castle looked like something right out of a fairytale. It was surely the fanciest fortress I’d ever seen, and where the Imperial Palace looked as though it would collapse with one hit, Stein Castle had a presence that almost begged someone to try.
It was… gorgeous. Thick stone walls stretched into high ceilings that were ornately carved, and rich, hardwood floors gave off the odd creak beneath our feet. The flag of the Grand Duchy hung in pride of place in the middle of the foyer, waving gently in the breeze that crept in through the open doors.
Vermillion House had nothing on this fancy place.
“The Grand Duke has assigned the East Wing to be Your Ladyship’s quarters, as per tradition here in Stein for the Grand Duchess,” Ark said, guiding me up the sweeping staircase. “It’s comprised of your bedroom, bathroom, dressing room, and study. There’s also a sitting room to receive guests on the lower floor. Additionally, there are rooms that will be assigned to your personal staff, including your Head Lady-in-Waiting, your chief aide, and your personal knight.”
I blinked. “Is that where Bella will stay?”
“For now, Bella will reside in the servants’ quarters with the other maids until she’s familiar with the inner workings of the castle. She’ll also find it easier to bond with the other staff. This is the East Wing.” Ark held open a door to a corridor for me. “Do not worry, my lady. She’ll move to your wing sooner than you think.”
“Of course. What you’re saying makes perfect sense.”
“This is Your Ladyship’s bedroom.” Ark bowed and opened the door to reveal a bedroom that was larger than my one at Vermillion House.
The four-poster bed was so large that you could fit four people in it and have room for twenty cats. Intricate windows stretched across one wall, providing the most beautiful view of the castle gardens backed by the snow-capped Stein Mountains in the distance. The fireplace was already in use with a fire happily burning away in it, and the log store next to it was rammed full of perfectly stacked wood.