As they stepped into the grand foyer, the warm glow of lanterns flickered against the polished floors, casting soft shadows on the walls. The scent of lavender and fresh linen filled the air, a sign that the maids had been hard at work.
Waiting for them were Emma, Thalia, and Sarah, standing in a neat row, their hands clasped in front of them, beaming with excitement.
"My Lord, My Lady," Emma spoke first, dipping into a respectful curtsy. "Welcome home."
"We've finished preparing everything for your journey," Thalia added eagerly. "The trunks are packed, the supplies loaded, and we made sure to include extra cloaks in case it gets cold."
Sarah, the youngest of the three, grinned. "And, well… we were hoping you'd let us come along!"
Jean let out a laugh. "You three? On the road with us? Oh, that would be fun."
"Absolutely not," Alaric said flatly.
The three maids gasped in unison. "Why?" Sarah whined.
