I got dressed and after quickly checking in the mirror that I didn’t look like a complete mess, I headed downstairs to find Edward. To be honest, I wasn’t sure where he could be, and I wasn’t used to the layout of this mansion. The moment, I completed my trip down the stairs, Ralph was there to politely greet me as if he had been waiting there for a while.
“Miss Natalia, I see that you are up. Master Edward is currently busy handling some matters so if you don’t mind, please allow me to lead you to the dining room. We have prepared various dishes for lunch that we hope you would like,” Ralph said politely as he bowed. For some reason, he seemed a little nervous. I didn’t want any lunch. What I wanted right now was to talk to Edward.
“Where is Edward?” I asked while trying to remain pleasant-sounding.
“Master Edward is currently a little busy. He would appreciate it if you could wait for him in the dining room, Miss Natalia,” Ralph repeated the same thing he said before. He bowed respectfully once again. I sensed that something was wrong. I couldn’t exactly place it, but I felt like they were hiding something from me.
“Tell me where Edward is or I’ll go look for him myself,” I said a little harshly than I intended.
“Miss Natalia…” Ralph struggled to reply. This made it clear, he was bounded by Edward’s order to keep it a secret from me and to just lead me to the dining room. I don’t blame the old man. Loyalty to his master is his life and pride.
“I understand. Sorry for being harsh on you. I’m going to go find Edward and if I can’t find him, I’ll just leave this place,” I said as I turned on my heel to head towards the front door of the mansion.
“Miss Natalia, please wait!” Ralph became flustered and came after me.
Edward must be outside somewhere. I could tell from Ralph’s increasingly panicked reaction that I was heading in the right direction to where Edward is. What is the big deal if I see Edward right now? I mean, if he has a guest, I will wait patiently for them to finish. I may not be a true lady, but I do know how to act like one. I do have some manners; they should give me some credit for it. I can appear on the red carpet without tripping over my high heels and I even look quite passable next to celebrities.
…
I spotted Edward the moment I stepped out of the house. Edward was still in his pajamas as he stood in front of another man. They seemed to be engaged in some serious conversation. Perhaps, I should not disturb them.
“Natalia!” I heard a very familiar voice calling my name.
“R!?” I cried out in shock. Why is Reiner here? How did he get here? How did he know where we are?
The man Edward was trying to talk to in secret was Reiner? Why?
“Natalia, go back inside. Now!” Edward called to me as he ran towards me.
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