After they parted, she made her way toward her usual lessons, her steps carrying her through the corridors with the ease of growing familiarity. The vast estate was still a maze, but she was no longer lost within it. As she stepped into the tall library chamber, the scent of ink and parchment greeted her first, followed by the ever-watchful gaze of Mrs. Stella, who sat poised at her desk, fingers laced atop an open book.
“Good day, Lady River,” she said with a smile that tugged subtly at one corner of her mouth, betraying something more than formal greeting. River took her seat, confused, until the older woman leaned forward slightly, eyes glinting with mischief.
“Well done, for yesterday’s lunch,” she said softly, a wink punctuating the unexpected praise before she straightened again.
