Bidding Orlando farewell, I make my way back toward the mansion. As I walk down the grand hallway on the second floor, I spot Lily organizing some decorative vases near a window.
"Lily!" I call out softly.
Without wasting a single second, Lily drops what she's doing and hurries over to me, bowing her head slightly. "My Lady! Did something happen? Do you need anything?"
"Oh, Lily, I'm starving," I say with a soft groan, rubbing my stomach. "Can you have my lunch prepared and served in my room?"
"Of course, My Lady. Right away," Lily replies with an obedient nod.
With that, I head straight back to my bedchamber. The moment I cross the threshold, the exhaustion from the long walk finally catches up to me. I kick off my shoes, cross the room, and collapse face-first onto the soft, oversized mattress, letting out a long, contented sigh.
Staring up at the ornate ceiling, lost in my own thoughts, I mutter aloud without even realizing it: "Good grief... that garden was seriously massive. I wouldn't be surprised if it was a couple of kilometers wide! It's completely huge. If I have to walk through a garden like that every single day, I'm going to turn into an absolute fitness model..."
I let out a soft chuckle, shaking my head. "Man... sitting here, it's really hitting me. This world is just so vastly different from my world..."
Knock, knock.
A sudden rap at the door startles me out of my thoughts. I sit up quickly, blinking in surprise. "Y-yes! Come in!"
The heavy door clicks open, and Lily steps inside, looking slightly puzzled. "My Lady... were you talking to someone just now?"
"Oh..um, no, no!" I say, coughing lightly and waving a hand to brush it off. "I was just talking to myself, thinking out loud about something."
Lily's eyes widen in immediate, nervous panic. Her hands fly to her mouth. "Good heavens! Were you talking about something strange? Did you do something wrong in front of Young Master ?!"
"Relax, Lily, calm down," I sigh, offering a reassuring smile. "I didn't do anything terrible. And even if I slipped up a little, I managed the whole thing just fine, so you don't need to stress. Besides, I'm absolutely starving right now, so let's focus on that. Stop worrying so much!"
I pause, narrowing my eyes slightly as a thought occurs to me. "Wait a minute... did you eat anything yet, Lily?"
Lily blinks, caught off guard by the question, and shakes her head. "N-no, My Lady, not yet. I was waiting to.."
"Then what are you standing around for?" I interrupt playfully, pointing toward the door. "Serve me my lunch first, and then go eat your own meal right after! I'm a big girl, I don't need you hovering over me twenty-four-seven."
"Understood, My Lady. I will bring your food immediately, I just came here to ask if you need anything else, Lily says.
"No, I just want to eat something, nothing more", I reply her.
Then she offers a small, grateful bow and steps out. As she said, Lily returns shortly after with a rolling cart loaded down with silver platters. When she lifts the lids, my jaw nearly drops.
Whoa... are you kidding me? I stare in absolute shock at the sheer spread before me. There must be half a dozen different dishes here!
Despite my initial surprise, my ravenous stomach takes over. Having walked for hours, I dig in with absolute enthusiasm, polishing off nearly everything in sight before I even realize how much time has passed.
It isn't until I catch a glimpse of the golden afternoon light streaming slantwise through the window that a sudden wave of embarrassment hits me.
Wait a minute... the sun is already starting to set?! I think, my eyes widening in horror as I check the light. I've been out walking for hours?! No wonder I was so insanely starved...it's way past normal lunchtime! That explains why my stomach was making whale noises earlier. How mortifying...
Shaking my head at my own lack of time awareness, I finish off the last glass of fruit water and wipe my mouth with a linen napkin.
"Is anyone out there?" I call out toward the hallway.
A moment later, the door opens and Lily peeks in. "Yes, My Lady? Do you need anything else?"
"No, I'm all done," I say, gesturing to the empty platters. "I finished everything. You can take these plates away now."
"My goodness, you ate it all..." Lily murmurs in quiet astonishment as she begins loading the cart.
"Wait a minute.. Did you eat something, Lily?" I asked with a serious voice.
"What, My lady?.. oh yes." Lily replies with astonishment.
"That's good to know then." I look at her with a sincere smile. Then Lily nods slowly and steps out.
After that, I head over to the washbasin to thoroughly wash my hands and freshen up, letting the cool water splash against my skin.