Lady Cadence

Seira glanced down at his wrist, to the black writings "It looks like I will complete my one month's work here" she mumbled.

"Yeah, it is" Bella and Almira replied at the same time that made her chuckle.

She was disappointed as she hoped for the day to come but having the two with her laughing, makes her mood lighten.

The four of them walked along with the other servant. A soft voice suddenly echoed that made them halt their steps. A woman dressed in pastel pink ruffled dress that reached her ankle partnered with pink shoes, cream-colored hat, gloves with lace, and long coat hanging on her shoulders; with curly, long black hair complementing her fair and white complexion was standing in the middle of the space right in the main door. She was beautiful and obviously came from a noble family. Another woman wearing a pale brown dress, black boots, and holding a slightly large bag was behind the woman. Her pulse race at the thought of the woman was noble; hands starting to become cold. She played with her fingers.

Women and men suddenly scurried towards the woman, pushing Seira, Bella, and Almira promptly to the side. The crowd stopped at a far distance from the woman with a surprised expression on her face.

"It's Lady Cadence! Oh my gosh!" exclaimed the woman in a low tone.

"She was beautiful," said the man who passed by them.

"Wow, she was gorgeous in person," Bella mumbled, looking at the woman.

"I expected no less from a noble," Almira seconded.

Seira's lips were tight lipped; her eyes fixated also on the woman. It felt like she saw the woman. Her head suddenly throb made her frown. Thankfully, it was disappearing gradually.

"She was the one who organized the prince's clothes" Bella muttered behind that made Seira look at her with wide eyes, shocked.

"How may I help you, Lady Cadence" Lana said, stepping in front of Cadence. Seeing one of the famous noble ladies in person was her dream. She admired them a lot, especially Lady Selena.

Cadence glanced at Lana "I was about to visit Prince Kyrian's room" she looked at servants huddled to her and nodded slightly with a smile. As usual. Gathering attention was tiring her more than weaving clothes. But she didn't want to be rude.

"Let me lead you the way, My Lady" Lana excitedly offered.

Cadence shakes her head and roams her eyes around. Her hand elegantly holding her bag "No, thank you for the offer but I would like the personal servant of the prince to accompany me to his room"

The crowd understandably gazes simultaneously at Seira who was disbelievingly pointing at herself. Bella and Lana were smiling ear to ear behind her.

Lana dropped her head, noticing the attention of the crowd had been diverted at her back along with Cadence who walked towards Seira. She gritted her teeth and stared at Seira with contempt, briskly walking out.

Seira stepped in front with a nervous smile plastered on her face. She was trembling inside.

"You're beautiful" Cadence abruptly said as soon as she made out the face of Seira. Vivienne—Cadence servant glanced at the lady she was serving with a surprised reaction. It was rare for Lady Cadence to compliment someone. Very unusual.

"Uhm…. Thank you, Milady" Seira bowed her head hastily, not comprehending the sudden compliment on her. Her mind was occupied with anxiety "Shall we go to the prince's room?"

Cadence nodded at once with her lips. She really finds the woman beautiful. No, the woman was even gorgeous when she learned to dress properly. The thought of making over the woman excites her.

Seira shakily opened the door, letting Cadence and Vivienne pass before her. It was like she had a choice and could ignore the request of a noble. Earlier, she wanted to decline but she voiced out the exact opposite of it.

Cadence straight walked to the closet, opening it at once. She glanced at the big closet and pulled out clothes to match "How's being a servant for the Prince? That man can be sometimes hard to people"

Seira tilted her head to think for a safe answer. The woman was a noble and might be a friend of the prince "He's….. I mean it's a bit scary to be around him" she finally said out that made Cadence laugh a little.

"You're right, he was scary. Are you working for him permanently?"

"No, I'm not Milady. I will leave the palace next week"

Cadence abruptly turned to Seira, holding a hanger and clothes "Why? That is sad to hear as my circle of friends doesn't have a butler whose woman. I am the only one" she pointed to Vivienne "She is my butler, her name is Vivienne"

Vivienne smiled at Seira who also smiled back "I'm Seira"

"Seira? Is it your full name?" Cadence seriously asked. She never heard that name for a long time and no clan named their children Seira. It was the rule Kyrian made.

Seira took a deep breath and straightforwardly answered "Yes, it is" She had no other name other than that. It's the thought she drilled into her mind for a long time and she will live at that.

"Do you perhaps want to work for me?"

"I am delighted for the offer but I'm afraid I cannot do that, Milady. I need to leave the capital" she wanted to add 'for her to live' but she held herself. Staying in the capital and her chance of meeting other nobles scares her. It will be the cause of her death. Seriously. It was even surprising that she can still talk straight at her anxious self right now.

"If that's what you wanted," Cadence said, going back to what she was doing.

After many hours, Cadence finished arranging the clothes of Kyrian and was already outside the palace, standing behind a luxurious carriage. Seira bowed to Cadence.

Just as she was about to step back to let the carriage move, Cadence held her wrist, noticing the black markings Kyrian gave to his servants. She removed her coat and neatly folded it; handing it to Seira.

"No, no, Milady I can't —" Seira tried to give back the coat.

"Keep it as my gift for our first meeting"

"But I didn't do anything—"

"Seira" Cadence muttered, remembering a girl that made her teary for a second. The name she promised to Kyrian to never uttered again "That's my gift for having that name and let me uttered my deceased best friend's name without breaking my promise to my friend"

Seira couldn't speak a word to match the words of longing and sadness of Cadence. Something was clenching her heart at her remark. She forced herself to speak "She must be happy to wherever she is that you remembered her name"

A tear fall from the eyes of Cadence who smiled sadly "I hope she is"

With a final wave, Seira watched the carriage move away from her position, looking down at the coat in her hand.

……

As soon as Seira stepped outside the bathroom, she walked straight away to her bed. The other servants were still chattering to each other, some were already sleeping. Bella was still in the bathroom while Almira was on her bed.

"Is there any problem Lana?" she asked the woman whose back was facing her. But she was sure it was her. Lana seldom talks to them these past days. They tried to approach her some time but Lana ignored them.

"Does Lady Cadence give this to you?" Lana said, holding out the pink coat with a somewhat displeased expression plastered on her face.

Seira reluctantly nodded "Yes"

Lana gripped the coat firmly before throwing it to Seira's bed, tromping to the bathroom and intentionally hitting her shoulder to Seira, causing her to stumble.

Seira looked confused at Lana's back; brows creased together. Almira, who saw the whole conversation stared with all seriousness at Lana and back to Seira.