Morning came with a warm summer breeze, brushing gently against the window curtains.
The air was heavy with the scent of blooming flowers and distant soil, freshly watered by the early gardeners.
Already awake, Stella had eaten her breakfast and gotten ready for work, but this time, it wasn't part of her usual routine. It was an extra task, one she hadn't entirely volunteered for.
The plan was to accompany Annie and the guest, Miss Linden, to the city.
"I wanted to go alone today with the maids, but unfortunately, I'll be stuck for hours making polite conversation," she muttered to herself, fastening the strap of her bag.
Dressed in a simple warm yellow outfit that complimented her skin tone, she carried a small brown leather bag with matching shoes that clicked softly as she walked. A black ribbon tied like a butterfly held her hair in place with care, though Stella herself didn't see the point.
"This kind of outfit is really a problem," she sighed inwardly. "If the place were more modern, things would be easier. I have to wear so many accessories and all that nonsense here, or else I'm considered not stylish enough by the family's standards. It's exhausting."
Both Mrs. Howard and Mrs. Loran were strict about such matters, always reminding everyone in the house to maintain a polished appearance.
"The Loran family is noble, everyone must represent it well."
The message had been drilled into her since the first week of her arrival.
But what annoyed Stella most wasn't just the accessories or the constant grooming, it was the dress code, especially during summer. She was never allowed to wear sleeveless dresses or even short sleeves.
"Seriously, the worst part of summer is not the heat itself, but the fact that I can't even wear something breezy. Who made these rules anyway?"
In the eastern region, it was seen as disrespectful for women to show their arms or legs in public.
Tradition, it seemed, was everything here.
Once she was ready, she made her way to Annie's room to help her get dressed too. She always felt anxious about clothes, never quite comfortable in the stiff formalities expected of her, and clearly wasn't excited about going out today.
While adjusting her dress and tucking in a loose fold, Stella noticed the same distant look of frustration Annie had shown the night they first heard of the Linden family's arrival.
"Seems like she doesn't enjoy having guests," Stella thought, observing the faint wrinkle forming between Annie's brows.
After making sure everything looked presentable, the two of them descended the stairs together in silence.
The house was unusually quiet, as if everyone was holding their breath for something to happen.
Halfway down, Annie suddenly asked, "Do you really want to come with us?"
"Huh? Why are you asking me that all of a sudden?" Stella turned her head slightly, "Weren't you the one who asked me to come in the first place?"
Annie gave a faint shrug, her tone indifferent, "No, I wasn't the one who told Grandmother. It was our guest. I think you impressed her enough to make her request it."
Stella blinked, surprised by the comment, but quickly masked it with a neutral expression.
"Oh, I see," she replied coolly, though inwardly her thoughts raced.
"So she specifically asked for me? But why? What did I even say or do that impressed her? She barely looked my way at dinner..."
She followed Annie down the corridor, but her mind drifted.
"Didn't she say she wanted to go with her maids only? That's what her mother said yesterday. So what changed?"
A cluster of voices nearby interrupted her inner questions.
A few maids, unaware of Stella's presence, were speaking in hushed but sharp tones.
"Did you see how arrogant those guests are? Especially that spoiled daughter. This morning, she made me change her eggs four times!" one maid complained.
Another sighed heavily, "She made me sweep her room again and again. Said she's sensitive to dust. But the room was spotless!"
Annie heard everything but kept her expression blank, eyes fixed ahead.
Stella, however, slowed slightly, catching every word.
The first maid continued, "Why wouldn't she be arrogant? Her father is the governor's advisor in the north, and her brother is the highest official in the northern palace. On top of that, she's beautiful, stylish, and highly educated. Do you really think they're just visiting? She's already at the age of marriage, and I heard she's rejected every proposal so far."
"Ah, so she came here looking for a proper match? You think she's after Mr. Liam?" one asked.
Still listening, Stella glanced at Annie and saw her standing still, her face showing mild displeasure at what she heard.
"Oh please, don't tell me that spoiled, arrogant girl will become the lady of this house!" said another, a bit too loudly.
The others quickly hushed her before walking off to resume their tasks.
At the entrance, Annie remained standing next to Stella without saying a word. After a moment, she walked forward, and they headed to the guest room.
"Hmm… So that's why she wanted me to come along. I guess I didn't impress the fancy lady last night, hah," thought Stella, recalling the dinner.