Tea Pots and Palace Rumors

His station dwarfed theirs by numerous levels, while Dorothy held a strong lead over Seraphine’s lowest standing among the three young nobles. Climbing the ladder had never entered Sera’s mind, though avoiding it entirely was a sure death sentence if someone could use them for their own means. The steam still rising from his arm was proof of that, even if he shrugged it off as nothing, she wouldn’t have faired as well given her light attire. Yet, despite the harmful intention, once he began scolding the young woman’s attention was fully caught, her head snapped towards his face.

Perhaps, instead of scolding her for trying to carry something so heavy, you should scold the housekeeper. There has been a shortage of servants this week, we’ve all had to pick up the slack. Dorothy’s head snapped back, surprised by the defence, though a line of suspicion framed her brow before she too emphatically nodded her head.

“Yes. Saffy’s right, we’ve all been struggling a bit. It doesn’t excuse my clumsiness, of course. I’ll go and this time ask for aid.”

The urge to roll her eyes was nearly impossible to resist, but indeed Sera resisted. The harsh tone of his words caused each girl’s shoulders to slightly shake, the retreating cowering away while the remaining Salvo quietly rose to the challenge. Appearances had to be maintained despite his timely rescue, but she was unsure given their previous interactions what to expect from him.

Does it hurt? her voice softer, surprising herself as the question fell.

@Malik Vrai