“Do you mind escorting me out to the gardens?” Amelia asked, reaching up to put her pearl earrings on. She was sat in front of vanity, leaning towards the mirror to put on all her jewellery.

Countess Amelia DeGrast was known across the country for hosting a lavish ball every season. Many praised her as it was where a lot of nobles met their marriage partners. Lucky for them.

Amelia had to admit, the luck of the couples at the balls she hosted irritated her tremendously. Whilst they all seemed happy in their marriages ‘thanks to her’, she was stuck in an unloving one. Her husband, Count Marcel DeGrast, was a liar and a cheat. It was no secret that he was having an ongoing affair. She didn’t exactly care that he was with another woman; she didn’t love him anyway. She cared that he was putting in no effort to hide it. The lack of respect towards her is what was annoying.

But most days, Amelia distracted herself with your presence. You were just a servant, but she felt at ease with you. You were the only one who worked for her who didn’t look like you were walking on eggshells, or cracked ice. She appreciated it, even if she didn’t show it at times.

“Come on.” Amelia said, standing up and reaching out to take your arm. Her lips were curved upwards in the faintest of smiles. She always smiled when you were around, even if only faintly,