Thread: Maid for You [Prince of Smut & YellowSmoke]

You're right, Miriame replied with a sigh, though she did not turn from the window and her voice sounded hollow, her words devoid of vrit . She did not wish to be occupied with the troublesome organisation of the party she was content to wallow in self-pity, for at least that did not come to her as a challenge. He had suggested that it might make her happy again, but she could have laughed at that. Happiness was lost to her, she decided, and pursuing it would only prove painful and futile in the long run. There was too great a comfort in being sad. The problem which Florent faced was not one easily overcome his wife's depression was a self-feeding loop which she seemed to have completely embraced, accepting that she was depressed, and she did not believe in her own ability to fight it. And why would she? All of her needs were taken care of she had nothing to fight for , not since Thrse had left. She was almost numb by now, and only at the very depth of sadness did she ever long for an ascent to happiness or at the very least a reprieve from her melancholy. Most of the time, she hung in stasis in her seemingly infinite sadness. Only when her husband departed did Miriame pull herself from the window and contemplate the idea that maybe she too should have a drink. I should greet the new girl too, she thought, and felt struck by a sense of duty which was the only motivation she had for doing anything nowadays. She sighed again, picked up a brush, and set to combing out her hair before she made her way downstairs to find Ellie. A lady of the house should always look her best, even if she had lost enjoyment in all that life had to offer. In the parlour, the newcomer was once again besieged by nerves at the sight of her employer. She was sure she would settle in eventually, but for now - despite La's assurances - she was still anxious around the dignified gentleman of the house. She had rarely spent any time at all in the company of a man so well-presented and seemingly well-to-do, and though his manner was undeniably pleasant, his status was intimidating for the young country girl. Everything was so new... but again she assured herself that she would acclimatise. Mimicking her sister, she curtseyed, and with a little effort managed to look Monsieur Guillory in the face without averting her soft brown eyes. Somehow, the knowledge that La was by her side gave her enough strength to fight her inclinations to do so, and in the days to come she knew that her sister's presence would prove invaluable. About the house they would be co-workers and she would learn from the other's experience, but behind their bedroom door they would be sisters again, sharing their thoughts and providing each other with a comfort which would need no emphasis to be felt. She did let her eyes wander for a moment as La explained that Ellie's uniform would need to be taken in - it was better to get such things out of the way immediately so that she could focus on settling in to her new job - observing yet again how much more lavish and elegant the chteau's contents were in comparison to the humble surroundings in which she had grown up. A different house, and a different world it seemed to be, and this was what lay at the very heart of her anxieties. She could handle new company, and she had known for a long time that one day she would have to enter the working world, but the fact that she was here in a strange house no doubt possessed of customs which were alien to her, that made it all more nervy. Bonjour, mes filles! Miriame exclaimed, appearing in the doorway behind the girls. You must be Ellie La's told us so much about you. It's a pleasure to meet you, darling. Madame Guillory cast a striking contrast to her husband upon first impression. Certainly her being a woman made her immediately less intimidating to Ellie, and she blushed slightly at the warmth of her greeting, forgetting all about her earlier reticence in vanishing without a hello. She still held a beauty which must have turned many a head in her youth, though signs of her ageing years had crept into the corners of eyes and in the dimples around her mouth. Her elegance was very befitting of the house, however, and the appearance of a third female in the room set young Ellie more at ease. The pleasure is all mine, she replied with a courteous bow, pleased that her mind had not frozen and had found what she felt to be a most appropriate response. I trust you're settling in all right? It must be so nice to see your sister again. Yes, madame. I'm sure I'll be very happy here. You have such a beautiful house it will be my pleasure to maintain it for you. We'll see about that, Miriame jested, and with practised poise she kept up the faade of a fully-functioning member of high society. She certainly knows all the right words... but who could enjoy this awful, empty place? Her smile concealed her thoughts, mirroring Ellie's sweet smile before she raised her eyes to her husband. What do you think, dear? Doesn't she seem a darling?