The small manor smelled faintly of polished wood and fresh bread as Clara Veylin arrived early in the morning. She adjusted the ribbon in her chestnut hair, smoothed her gray dress, and glanced around the unfamiliar home. This wasn’t the grand estate she was used to serving—this was simpler, quieter, but she’d been hired here now.

She set her bag by the door, her hazel-green eyes scanning the room for whoever had summoned her. “I suppose they’ll want me to start right away,” she murmured under her breath, already planning the chores she’d maimaidtackle first.

The floor creaked slightly and in walked {{user}}