Food shared, is happiness multiplied.

...Still late, at the same night...

Already working on her newest and perhaps most thrilling mission entrusted to her by the queen, Agatha Danbury was deep in thought.

Sifting through names and cards bearing the faces and most important details of many of single men of the Tons, Lady Danbury searched for anyone suitable for Lady Safa Vega.

The problem is, she barely knows anything about the woman other then what she has heard today when she busted the girl's meeting with the queen, so it's even more difficult to definitively tell which bachelor would suits the spinster by choice.

To Lady Danbury's annoyance, The queen didn't wish to be the one telling on her friend, Charlotte made it clear she relies on Agatha to do all the work herself, so she didn't provide Agatha with details on Safa that would most certainly help the elderly matchmaker, create the perfect match.

In front of her, some names seem somewhat promising although they are few, mostly lords who seem to share either Safa's interest in science, her apparent displease with society, or shamelessly enough, even her physical limitations.

But still, Agatha cannot just shove these men towards Safa just yet, she needs to get to know the girl, earn her trust, convince her that love and marriage is a good thing and then, she could start the matchmaking process, not to mention there is no guarantee these men would even consider a match between them and Lady Vega.

Sighing, "I suppose tomorrow I have a long day of work to look forward to..." She mumbled to herself, ready to retire to bed after a long day of feeling helpless, a feeling she doesn't like to carry around.

...Next morning...

At House Vega, due to their unexpected entrance the night before, Lord James Teaton and his anxiety riddled maid Clara, have spent the night at Safa's estate as the woman didn't have the heart to let them go back home in yesterday late hour or freezing weather.

Perhaps it was how happy Wolfgang has seemed after his talk with James, that made Safa make that decision.

Everyone slept in a separate room, Wolfgang in his basement dungeon, Safa in her room, Clara slept in the room closest to Safa, while James occupied another room away from the ladies.

The group of friends didn't care what people would think, the Vega manor is remote and the nearest neighbor is still too far away to snoop around, no one saw lord Teaton come to the house last night, and Luckily today was a Sunday, As a rule set by Lady Vega, Sunday is a day off to all servants.

So no servants came by the house, only Wolfgang was there because he's the only servant living in the house, and with no expected visitors.

Everyone has agreed they would sleep in for the day, they'll have a meal together whenever they'll wake-up.

And sleep in they did, it was almost afternoon, and a certain servant who only ate Apples last night, woke-up to a grumbling stomach, urging him to start his day and get cooking.

Yawning, Wolfgang lazily threw his sheets away, rising from the bed heavily.

He would love to sleep more but his stomach now is his priority, besides Safa didn't eat much too the day before.

He has to feed his mistress and their two guests.

Suddenly, a smile crept its way onto his face.

Although in separate rooms and seemingly has no interest in the manservant the same way the manservant is interested in the lord, the fact that Lord Teaton is here, asleep in one of the rooms, makes Wolfgang smilish.

"I remember Clara saying James loves soup..." He mumbled happily to himself.

...An hour or so later...

A sleepy yet ready for the day Clara has pushed herself to reach the kitchen, on her way, she could smell something familiar.

The mouthwatering smell of soup, Mulligatawny Soup.

She has made this soup for her lord before, it's a creamy curry soup, and since her Lord can afford meat with no problems, Clara usually adds leftover mutton to the soup to make it rich in flavor.

She believed whomever is cooking knows this tip too, "Wolfgang!" She exclaimed.

She found the man with German name, wearing a beige apron, his sleeves rolled up and his hand busy, but there was peace in his expression.

"Good day Clara!" Wolfgang replied with enthusiasm, he was already done with the soup and was busy with something else.

"Oh sausage rolls!" Clara said excitedly looking at the second dish the manservant prepared.

"You are welcome to join and help me." Wolfgang suggested.

Picking an apron for herself, "That's why I'm here!" Clara replied with a smile, "I'll make something to drink!" She said.

...About a Half an hour later...

Helping Safa downstairs, James has offered his arm for the woman to wrap hers around.

Once down, the two walked together towards the dinning room, Clara and Wolfgang were just done setting the table.

The smell of his favorite curry soup made James smile, "Clara, did you make the soup?" He asked.

Sheepishly, "No my Lord...he did." Clara pointed at a shy Wolfgang, "I'm not the best cook...but I was hoping I do something to thank you for your kindness yesterday...I remembered Clara talking about how you love this soup.

My own Lady happens to like it so I learned how to do it a long time ago..." Wolfgang explained.

"James darling it Seems to me like Wolfie is trying to win you over with food." Safa said smirking.

Blushing, "My lady don't joke like that!" Wolfgang replied.

"No need to call me My lady, today everyone is welcomed to call me Safa, just Safa.

That includes you Clara." Safa said and Clara nodded.

Chuckling, "Well they say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach...if this soup turned out to be better than Clara's, I might be won over by you wolf." James said.

"Don't joke you too my Lord." Wolfgang said, "Just like Safa, today I wish to be addressed as James, that includes you Clara... no my Lord nor nothing.

Today we're equals, so come let's sit and eat." James said before he helped Safa settle in her seat.

Clara and Wolfgang exchanged joyful glances, the two servants now joined their Lord and Lady, all sitting together around the same table.

... Another half hour later...

"Are you kidding me?" James said astonished, "You never walked around in a park before?" He asked.

"As you can see, I have a garden if I wished to 'Walk around' I would in the comfort of my own estate.

I do not like those public parks especially not where the tons spend the time of day, those places are way too crowded for my likings, besides I have no close female friend to walk with.

Wolfie would not go either because he thinks it is inappropriate for a woman and a man unmarried like he and I to be seen together walking in a park!" Safa replied.

Embarrassed and annoyed, "Safa, forgive me for worrying over your reputation." Wolfgang said sarcastically.

"Then how about I take you walking!" Clara suggested, "Yes! Let Clara take you! Or we can all four go, you two ladies walk in front and wolf and I can be right behind you." James added to her suggestion.

"But I am afraid..." Safa said hesitantly.

"Afraid of what?" James asked, "James I love myself, I do not see myself flawed but people do not see me the same way I see myself.

I am a crippled young woman who need a stick to walk, I had people look me with pity and I hated it.

Just yesterday at the royal palace, I caught a whisper of two servants, they were saying how sorry they feel for me just because I walk with a cane at my age." Safa expressed her worries.

"Oh dear." Clara said sympathetically, "Safa if you truly love yourself then you shouldn't hide just because people pity you.

Prove to them, you don't deserve their pity, but rather admiration.

If you love yourself, don't let Their looks and opinions get the best of you." James said kindly making Wolfgang smile.

"Besides, once they get to know you for who you are, an annoying money loving woman! They won't care you're crippled anymore! Haha!" James joked and Safa hit him playfully on the back of his head.

"OUCH!"

"You deserve it! Imbecile!" Safa said trying her best to act angry, but they can all see she wanted to smile.

Suddenly, "I think you should take James's suggestion into consideration, Safa." Wolfgang spoke-up.

"You refer to the walk?" Safa asked.

Nodding, "You also need to stop hiding from society, if you want your business to succeed, you need to build strong connections especially with the members of the Ton.

I suggest you should make that much of sacrifice if you truly want to thrive in business." Wolfgang explained.

"Speaking of business! I assume we, are back in business together?" James asked while pointing at himself and then Safa.

"Yes we are, and I do need that packaging for the face cream, the queen seems to want to try it, so I plan to deliver it to her on our next meeting." Safa replied.

"By the way, these meetings with the queen, I'm curious.

Do say, what happens in them?" James asked.

"Yes please tell us?!" Clara said, "I just Converse on many subjects with the queen, nothing major." Safa replied.

Sighing, "You don't want to tell me do you." James said knowingly.

"I am being serious, it is nothing of importance, I mostly talk of myself and tell her about my latest work, that is all." Safa replied.

"It's hard to think the queen is interested in the same subjects as you." Clara commented, "The queen is a much more intelligent woman than people make her out to be, she is also very kind and generous." Safa replied.

"Well I only saw the queen once so I can't judge her well." Wolfgang said, "You mean That fateful day when the queen's carriage broke down on the same road we three traveled in?" James asked.

"Coming to think of it, I wasn't there with you that day! I was away visiting family." Clara said.

"Yes, it was just Me, Wolfgang and James..." Safa replied smiling at the memory.

"May I know the story?" Clara asked.

"I suppose there is no harm in telling you " Safa replied making Clara smile at her.

...Meanwhile...

In her own carriage, lady Danbury glanced outside, the further they went on, the Less signs of life there were.

"I wonder what kind of place does this woman call home." She said while glancing curiously at the gift she has brought with her.

A wiggling Pomeranian puppy with a green ribbon around its neck, that was delivered to her by a messenger from her majesty the Queen earlier today.

Queen Charlotte may have not helped her in her matchmaking quest by giving information, but she might have given Agatha the perfect gift to a possible dog enthusiast.

That if lady Vega was indeed, a dog enthusiast.

Agatha was feeling skeptical about taking the pet, she would've preferred a book, a plant or a basket of sweets, something simple and lighthearted for a first official meeting with the potential future member of the Ton she hopes lady Vega will be, once her mind changes about marriage.

"I suppose the only one lucky in this situation is you " she said to the puppy who looked at her with curious stares.

"You do not have to do anything or suffer like I do, and on top of all you get to eat, play and sleep all day." Agatha said earning a bark from the pet.

"Let's hope your new Lady will cherish you." She mumbled sighing.