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“My lady. Master Darius.”

“Elowen, this is Eira Vale. Her family has served House Vaelor for three generations.”

“Nice to meet you.” I smiled at her. “I should probably warn you that I don’t actually do very much. I don’t know how much fun I’ll be, but I’ll try.”

“I believe we’ll manage very well, my lady.”

“You can call me Elowen. If we’re going to spend all this time together, I’d rather you did. ‘My lady’ feels too formal.”

“I’m not certain that would be appropriate.”

Her eyes shifted to Darius, and I realised she was worried she’d get in trouble.

I linked my arm through his. “It’s all right, isn’t it? I’d like her to use my name.”

“In private, she may address you as you wish. In public, she’ll need to use your title.”

“Perfect.”

I looked back at Eira, who still seemed slightly unsure. “Elowen.”

She tried it hesitantly, and I smiled.

“See? Much better.”

Darius left us soon afterwards to return to his work.

Over the next few hours, Eira and I explored most of the residence, leaving my mates’ bedrooms and Darius and Leon’s office alone. By the time we got back to the sitting room, I was running out of things to look at.

I dropped onto the sofa, picked up a cushion, turned it over for absolutely no reason, then put it back.

I’d spent far too long indoors. Back home, I’d worked, gone to the shops, run errands, cooked and cleaned. I walked everywhere, and there was always something waiting to be done.

Too much empty time meant too much thinking, and I really didn’t want to spend the whole day doing that.

“What do people do around here, for fun?” I asked Eira.

“For leisure?”

“Yes. When you’ve got a day off and want to go somewhere.”

“There are concerts, theatres, galleries and seasonal exhibitions. The central gardens are popular, particularly in the warmer months. There are public baths as well.”

“What about shopping or meeting friends for coffee? Somewhere you can just wander around?”

“The central district has shops, cafés, food halls and markets. The public gardens are beautiful this time of year.”

I sat up. “That sounds lovely. Can we go?”

“Now?”

“Yes.”

I wanted to walk somewhere, buy myself a coffee, sit somewhere nice, and people-watch, maybe do some window shopping.

I stood. “I’ll just get changed, and we’ll go.”

“My lady… Elowen. I’ll need to consult Master Darius first.”