New Job - part 1

Myra was so completely engrossed in reading the book that she didn't notice someone knocking on her room door. After a while, the door opened by itself, revealing Alvin.

"Milady?" he called out, startling Myra.

"Huh?" She turned to look at the butler, placing the book on her lap.

"His Lordship is expecting you downstairs for dinner."

Myra nodded, slipping a bookmark between the pages before lowering her legs to the floor.

She had lost track of time — she'd been absorbed in the history book for over two hours and hadn't realized it was already half past eight in the evening.

Rising from the armchair, she walked to the dressing table and checked her reflection in the mirror to see if her hair had become messy. Satisfied with her appearance, she followed the butler out.

It had been three days since she last saw the Lord, and she felt slightly nervous about it.

Upon reaching the dining room, she saw four people seated around the large rectangular table. Lord Theodore sat at the head. A brown-haired man was to his right, a blond man to his left, and a woman sat beside the blond.

Alvin announced her arrival, and all four heads turned toward her, making her cheeks flush pink.

She offered a slight curtsy to the Lord and smiled politely at the others. Alvin pulled out a chair next to the brown-haired man and helped her sit.

Myra sighed inwardly. If only she'd known the Lord still had guests, she would have insisted on dining in her room.

"Hello," said the blond man sweetly, flashing a wide smile.

Before she could respond, the brown-haired man turned slightly in his seat and studied her with curiosity.

"Who are you?" he asked, analyzing her.

Myra glanced at the Lord, who gave her a reassuring smile. Nervously licking her lips, she said, "Umm… I-I'm Amyra."

The short-haired woman sitting across from her smiled encouragingly. "Hello, Amyra. I'm George," she said, extending her hand.

Amyra lifted herself slightly from her seat and leaned forward to shake it.

"Nice to meet you, Amyra," said the blond man beside George. "I'm Devon."

She mumbled a 'hello' back to him.

She mumbled a quiet "hello" in return.

The man next to her remained silent.

"He's Noah, by the way," Devon added for her. Amyra gave a polite nod in acknowledgment.

A moment later, Devon leaned in a little with a curious smile. "Amyra, huh? That's a beautiful name… but do you mind if we call you Myra for short?"

Amyra blinked, a little surprised, then gave a small smile. "Um… sure, I don't mind."

"Great," Devon said with a wink. "Myra it is, then."

She couldn't help admiring the elegant dining room. At the center of the table sat a large floral arrangement, and lit candles flickered in silver holders, casting a soft glow.

The first course arrived. Footmen, smartly dressed in navy blue and white uniforms, entered with trays of delicacies. One of them carefully arranged the plates and silverware before her, then served portions from the trays onto her plate.

Picking up a piece of roasted lamb with her fork, Myra took a bite and briefly closed her eyes to savor the flavor.

"Is the food to your liking?" Devon asked.

Myra opened her eyes and nodded. "Yes, thank you."

"If I had known there was such a beautiful guest at home, I would've returned a week earlier and left Noah and George to handle everything themselves," Devon said, directing the comment toward the Lord.

Theodore rolled his eyes at his younger cousin and continued eating, saying nothing.

"Where are you from, Myra?" George asked, her red eyes fixed on her.

Georgina, or George as she preferred to be called, was a pure-blooded vampire and Theodore's close friend and advisor. Noah, on the other hand, was a trueborn demon and the Lord's right-hand man.

All three had been living with Theodore in Warburton Mansion ever since he became the Arcadian Lord.

"Fidora," Myra answered.

That made the two men exchange glances.

"Weren't you in Fidora two weeks ago?" Noah asked Theodore.

Theodore took a sip from his wine glass and leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "Yes," he replied.

"Did you both meet there, by any chance?" Devon asked, looking back and forth between Myra and the Lord with keen interest.

Myra pressed her lips into a thin line, the memory of that rainy day flashing before her—when she had seen the Lord kill three people right in front of her.

"Yes," Theo said casually, popping a forkful of baked potatoes into his mouth.

Devon and Noah exchanged a knowing look. George simply gave a nod, as if confirming a silent thought.

The rest of the dinner proceeded smoothly. The four of them discussed political matters, eventually shifting the topic to the upcoming Snowflakes Ball, to be held in Wendyln.

Devon rubbed his hands together eagerly. "Can't wait to see our Georgina in a gown, acting all ladylike," he teased, emphasizing her full name.

George scowled. She hated being called Georgina and preferred just George.

Noah laughed at her expression. "Yep. It's not often we get to see our Georgy posing as a proper lady—with jewelry, gowns, and all."

Her scowl deepened.

"Once a year, to be exact," Theodore added with an amused chuckle, glancing at George.

She rolled her eyes and resumed eating with a frustrated huff, while Myra silently watched them with a smile. The four seemed incredibly close, and she felt like an outsider.

"Myra, you should've been at last year's Snowflakes Ball," Devon said, pulling her into the conversation. "It was so much fun."

She just smiled, her eyes drifting to the Lord's.

"Ah, she'll be attending this year's ball," Theodore said, fixing his gaze on her. Noah, meanwhile, didn't miss the glint of mischief in Theo's eyes as he spoke.

"Oh, that's great!" Devon said excitedly.

After finishing her meal, Myra excused herself and retired to her room early.

Once she was gone, Noah turned to Lord Theodore and asked, "Is she the one?"

Theodore nodded, a wide smile forming on his lips. "Yes."

George leaned forward eagerly. "Does she know?"

Theo took a deep breath and shook his head.

Silence fell over the dining room for a few moments before Theodore broke it.

"Devon," he began, "are you planning to visit Leonard tomorrow?"

Devon tilted his head. "Yes. Why?"

"Take Amyra with you."

The three of them looked at Theodore in confusion.

"Why?" asked George.

"Yeah, why?" echoed Noah.

"She'll be staying there from now on," Theodore replied with a shrug.