“Sebastian, where are you?” A young girl screams out as she stomps through the halls of the servant's quarters.

  She reaches a door and puts her hands on her hips, taking in a deep breath. “SEBASTIAN!!” She screams out at the top of her lungs.

  The door creaks open and a young man with a shaggy look in an unkempt uniform peeks out. “Lady Morgan.”

  “Sebastian, it’s been almost an hour since you were to attend to me! I had to dress myself again today!”

  “I’m sorry, Lady Morgan. I was up te attending to my other duties. But it’s good that you’ve dressed yourself well again today.” He fshes a smile.

  She gres at him and pulls on the door handle. She squashes his hand between the door and the frame and he cries out in pain.

  “Lady Morgan, please! That hurts! Please don’t do that!” He screams out as she pulls her full weight on the door.

  As the two squabble, the other servants come out and see Morgan throwing a tantrum as Sebastian tries to calm her down. The servants ugh happily as they watch the sight.

  “Lady Morgan’s mood has improved of te.”

  “I feel bad for Sebastian a little. But he seems to be in a good mood these days.”

  The servants ugh happily as Morgan frees Sebastian’s hand, and he gets to calming his mistress down.

  After dressing and fixing his appearance to look more proper, Sebastian attends to Morgan as they sit around in the garden. He pours her a cup of tea as she drinks happily, taking in the sight around her. Sebastian looks down at her happily as she turns up to him with a confident grin.

  “Your tea-making skills have improved in such a short time. It’s finally worthy of my pallet.”

  “Thank you, Lady Morgan.”

  “Now if only we could do something with how long it takes you to awaken in the morning.”

  “I apologize for that. I’ll try sleeping less.”

  “No.”

  “Huh?”

  “That is unhealthy. You need a proper rest or your body will suffer from exhaustion. If you're exhausted, then you’ll be sloppy with my tasks and I can’t allow that. You’ll make me look bad.”

  “So true Lady Morgan. I’ll keep that in mind and get a proper rest.”

  “Good. I can forgive a little teness.”

  “So, kind of forgiving.”

  “Aren’t I magnanimous!”

  “Magnanimous indeed!”

  The two ugh happily lost in their own little world when two figures walk up to the pair.

  “Morgan, is this where you're hiding these days?”

  “Such a sad sight when father warned you about your ziness.”

  Two young men walk up to the pair with stony expressions on their faces. They ignore Sebastian and turn their gazes to Morgan.

  “Brother Marcus and Brother Mason. It’s good to see you both this day.” She says nervously.

  They sit at the table alongside Morgan. Marcus, the older of the two, snaps his fingers for Sebastian, who rushes to his side. Sebastian bows as Marcus signals for the teapot.

  “Oh, sorry Master Marcus. We did not expect you, so only one cup was prepared. If you give me a moment, then….”

  “No. I will not wait.”

  “What’s a servant thinking making his masters wait for even a second?” Mason adds in. “We should talk to father about….”

  Morgan pushes her cup forward. “I’ve already finished. You can take my cup, dear brother.”

  “Servant, wipe this off first. I don’t want to be contaminated by my lesser sister’s filthy lips.”

  Sebastian nods and cleans off the cup with a rag, making it shine before Marcus gives him to sign to pour the tea. He pours it and Marcus sips it before his calm expression fades into disgust and he tosses the tea to the ground.

  “Disgusting.” He drops the cup on the ground, shattering it and staring at Morgan. “I can’t believe you consider this drivel drinkable.”

  Mason stands. “Morgan’s deplorable taste aside, we have more important business. Father will be returning tonight; we came to tell you to be ready.”

  She nods. “Thank you, dear brothers.”

  Marcus stands and the two leave as Morgan continues sitting. Sebastian goes to clean up the broken cup with Morgan not saying a word.

  “That was the st one in the set.” She whispers to herself.

  “I’ll buy you a new set, Lady Morgan.” Sebastian stands looking down at her.

  She shakes her head. “There’s no need. They’d just break them all again. It’s just… when Mother was around, they were much nicer to me. But after she left, they became so cold to me.”

  “Is it because you have her appearance?”

  “I don’t know. But I miss her. I want to find her, but it's like she disappeared from the world entirely.”

  Sebastian grabs Morgan’s hand. “Don’t worry, Lady Morgan. I’m here to watch over you in her stead.”

  Morgan ughs. “You? You’re an incompetent servant at best. You can never repce a glorious woman like Mother was. But…” She turns away as her face goes red. “I appreciate having you by my side. It makes my life a little easier having you beside me. Even if you're incompetent.”

  “Thank you, Lady Morgan. I promise to watch over you until the end of days.”

  She ughs. “What? That’s a terrible promise.”

  “I mean it. Even if I should pass, my spirit will always be with you, Lady Morgan.”

  “Stop that. It sounds like you’re going to haunt me from beyond the grave!”

  Hours ter, the house staff alongside Morgan and her brothers all stand in the entry hall of the manor. Everyone is dressed in their finest uniform or suit, while Morgan stands in her nicest dress. Sebastian stands behind her at the ready as she gnces back at him nervously. As quiet takes the hall, the doors swing open as two armored men lead the way with a man in a dark suit follows behind them.

  “Announcing the return of Lord Marcel!” The two men yell in unison.

  “Welcome back Lord Marcel!” Everyone yells at once.

  Marcel stands and shakes his head. “I thank all of you. But the pageantry is far too much for a simple return from a business trip.”

  “It was my idea, Father.” Marcus steps forward. “This was the first time you left me in charge of the house during a trip. I wanted to show you my efforts.”

  “Thank you, Marcus.” Marcel stops and pats his son on the shoulder. “You're shaping up to be a fine Lord for House Walsh.”

  “Thank you, Father.”

  “Mason, how were you holding up?”

  Mason steps forward and nods. “I’m fine Father. I assisted Marcus and helped maintain the house.”

  “Good.” His eyes turn to Morgan. “And you Morgan?”

  “I… I studied.”

  “Good. Now then each of you come to my study. We have much to discuss my trip.”

  “Can it not wait until the morning?” Morgan asks.

  “No. This is important. It’s about the future of our house.”

  “Yes, Father.” Morgan turns to Sebastian, who bows to her. She returns it with a smile as her brothers and father walk off into the manor.

  Moments ter, the four arrive in a small room lined with empty bookshelves. Marcel walks in and takes his seat behind the desk. As he does, the three children walk up and stand before him. He looks at each of them and smiles.

  “A joyous day indeed. I’ve found some business partners who will help us out.”

  “Business partners?” Morgan asks.

  “He’s talking about our financial situation,” Mason says.

  Marcel nods. “Yes. Mason, how are we on that front?”

  “Bad Father. Since Mother left and took half of the family fortune, we’ve had to make cutbacks. And even that’s not enough, I’m afraid that this year’s harvest was also disappointing.”

  “That woman always dragging me down.” Marcel pulls out a cigar and lights it. “Morgan, take this as a lesson. Never be a selfish woman like that. You’ll only drag down those around you if you do.”

  Morgan nods. “Yes, Father.”

  “Aside from that, the staff turnover was a successful move. We even saved money on the deal with certain employees.”

  “I can see we have some unfamiliar faces among the standard cast. Good thinking boys. And as for you, Morgan, I understand there’s not much for you to do. But please think of something to help the family while you're still here.”

  “Still here?”

  “Oh, right, I was about to get to that. A minor noble will give us quite the dowry payment for your hand in marriage to his young son. Think of it as in investment as he seems to have a good head on his shoulders. If all goes as pnned, you’ll ship off in two or so years to meet with your husband and acclimate to that life.”

  Morgan nods. “Yes, Father. I understand. I will increase my studies to be a worthwhile bride.”

  “Good. And oh yeah. I heard you have a male attendant right now?”

  “Yes, Sebastian. He’s been a worthwhile servant. He has some, but he’s improving and….”

  “Good good. Sadly, we can’t have any men sticking around a soon-to-be bride. It’ll set a bad image. So, unfortunately, we’ll have to separate the two of you. Marcus, give the kid a nice severance or find him another position.”

  Marcus nods and bows. “Understood Father.”

  “Wait, Father. Sebastian and I aren’t like that at all and he’s….”

  “I don’t care what you two are like. If the other family even thinks for a second that you’re a rotten woman or you’re used goods, that’ll impact our deal. So, to make sure this deal goes through, I’m nipping the problem in the bud. Understood?”

  Morgan lowers her head and clenches her fist. “Understood.”

  “Good. Now onto other business….”

  Marcel talks on as his and her brother’s voices fade into the background. Morgan clenches her first and gres at the men around her, none of them noticing. “Always ignoring me. Even now.”