An Heiress and her Butler (VikingWitch & Yusuke)

[VikingWitch]

The carriage rattled and bumped along the long, winding dirt road. The sun started to set on the horizon casting the sky in beautiful shades of pink, red, orange, and yellow. Cadenza sighed at the sight as she let her hand rest outside the window and skim through the air. At least the place had a lovely forest view.

It had been a week since she received the letter from what looked like a lawyer firm. It all looked very official, especially with that certain red wax seal. It took a while to get through all the legal jargon before she got to the meat of the letter. Cadenza’s grandmother had died and left her entire estate to her only granddaughter. She remembered her grandmother Leyla, she had to stop visiting her often when she went to the academy. It was too far away from the manor. She had been twelve or thirteen at the time, but they corresponded by mail and sometimes visited for holidays.

Cadenza was shocked and rather sad when she read that news in particular. It was so sudden and she hadn’t heard anything from her parents about Leyla being ill. How many times had she promised to visit grandmother after she graduated? She was going to show off her degree and her magic skills. They were going to run the company together. They had plans! But the funny thing about life is that it happens when you’re busy making plans. Cadenza’s parents weren’t really an option to have the inheritance, because her dad, Leyla’s son, didn’t want to handle the company, and Cadenza’s mother, though she tried, didn’t quite have the same drive to do it either. They were left a considerable sum of money at least, they weren’t completely written out of the will. There was also a personal letter from her grandmother that had been folded into the official letter.

Cadenza took out the letter and read it through again. She must’ve read it one hundred times by now. The deeply creased folds would be evidence enough of that:

My dear Cadenza,
I find this practice especially morbid, but I must admit even to myself that I’m getting on in years. I don’t know when you’ll receive this letter, hopefully not for a few more years at least. I want to say that I am terribly proud of you, those new photographs that your father keeps going on about are positively brilliant and you do look so beautiful and bright with that degree. You’ll do great things, I know it.
Moving on to something important. If you receive this letter it means that I have passed on and my lawyer has been so kind as to include it in the official letter, bequeathing you my entire estate. This includes my mansion, the company, and all property therein. I’m also leaving you my staff to get you better acquainted with the place and to help you run things until you get back on your feet. I know we had plans, my little songbird, but these things happen. If I don’t see you again before I pass, just know that I am so proud and so happy for you. I’ve never blamed you for your recent distance, I was young once too. I only wish I could see your face when you arrive.
With all my love,
Grandmother Leyla

Cadenza folded the letter back up and stuck it back in her pocket. She looked back up and gasped at the sight. She could barely remember the manor before and seeing it now took her breath away. The place looked well maintained at least, apart from the ivy growing up the sides. That was ok though, Cadenza remembered that grandmother loved the ivy and the flowers that bloomed. She wondered if she would be late for their blooms. The building itself looked like it was made from alabaster and the roof looked like it was covered in moss, something else that her grandmother didn’t mind. The building was huge and Cadenza honestly couldn’t remember how many rooms were in it. She did remember the greenhouse in the back and that the land that the manor resided on went on for many acres. She really should’ve visited more often.

The carriage stopped right outside the big double doors that had intricate designs of many plants and creatures all over them. The footman opened the door for her and Cadenza stepped out and stared up at the building. Cadenza didn’t quite look the part of an heiress yet. Her golden blonde hair was tied up in a high ponytail and she still wore her white blouse and black trousers. They were just easier to travel in. The sunlight still bounced off her grey eyes and the light was reflected in her warm smile. “It’s a lovely home for you, madame,” the driver said and nodded with a smile.

“It is,” Cadenza said. “Thank you, sir.”

They helped her pull out her luggage and lug it up the steps before they nodded to her and drove away. Cadenza took a deep breath and let it out in a huff. She supposed she should knock, the staff were still there after all and it did seem rude to just barge in and take over the place immediately. Cadenza knocked on the big doorknockers and waited patiently.

 

[Yusuke]

It was an early morning as sunlight streaked through the window, birds chirping just outside. Faust had risen an extra half-hour earlier than he typically did. Today was the day the new heiress would be arriving after all. He wanted to have the time to deliberate over his wardrobe and make sure the entire estate was in absolute order. He was meticulous to a fault but that's why he held the position of "Head of Staff", given to him by his mistress from the founding days of the family. He eventually donned a fine black tailcoat with matching trousers and dress shoes, completed by tying his hair back in a thin ponytail with a small red ribbon.

Finally feeling presentable, Faust left his quarters he set off for the staff living area. He went door to door to gather the full staff body in the communal area, some more compliant than others but nobody dared to upset him too much. With everyone together, he had everyone form a line-up, pacing back and forth in front of them, trying to maintain his professionalism through his anxiety. At the very least his face didn't show it.

"Now, as you all should know, our new benefactor will be arriving this afternoon. I want this place spotless by the time she arrives. I will be going around assisting where needed but I expect you all to play your part. First impressions are very important. Now let's go do a job that Madame Leyla would be proud of. You are relieved!" he stated confidently, attempting to inspire a higher effort out of his staff mates. He motioned them off, turning off in the opposite direction to tend to his own business. He took a deep breath as he walked. The loss of the previous family head was weighing on him. He'd seen several come and go across the generations, each time just as tough for him.

Throughout the day leading up to the young heir's arrival, Faust went about the estate, assisting with various tasks here and there while seeing to his own duties. Normally his strictness wouldn't play well with others but Faust had garnered a level of respect through his time at the manor and he made an effort to make sure that that respect never went for granted.

Eventually, the time drew close. Faust readied himself to acclimate the coming successor to her new home. He straightened out his coat and shirt, fixed his posture, and awaited her arrival.

----------------

The doors creaked open almost as soon as she knocked. It was as if the manor itself was welcoming its new master. There to greet her, Faust stood in the middle of the entryway with a polite bow. "Welcome. You must be Miss Cadenza. I am Faust, the head of staff. We have met before but you were rather young, it would not be remiss if you didn't remember me." he said with a welcoming smile as he invited her in further. "There's no need to be shy, everything here is yours now, Miss Cadenza. Do make yourself at home."

 

[VikingWitch]

She gulped down the nervous lump in her throat and waited patiently for the door to open. Cadenza’s hands clutched at the handle of the suitcase she was holding and a thought occurred to her that she would really like the staff to like her. The doors slowly pulled back and revealed a not unpleasant sight. A handsome young man stood before her with a pleasant smile and waved her in.

Cadenza was a bit embarrassed that she was staring so intently, so she bowed her head to break her gaze and she was also embarrassed that she couldn’t quite remember everyone after she stopped visiting. She bowed back to Faust when he introduced himself and her gaze turned to the three suitcases she had brought along. Most of it was only her clothes, but there were other things stowed away in the luggage. The only thing that looked like it might be difficult to lug around was her hope chest. She already held a small suitcase and then the only one left was just slightly bigger than the one she was holding. “Thank you, I’m Cadenza Oriane,” she said and felt the tips of her ears prickle. “But you knew that, you just said that.”

Ugh, that was stupid to say. Surely, she could think of a better conversation than that. She wasn’t making this easy for herself. “I’m not sure what to do, this whole thing, it kind of took me by surprise,” she started again. “Though I suppose it hasn’t been easy on you or the others either.”

She didn’t know what to say in this instance, what does one say to the staff of their former employer who was also your relative? What do you say to people who may or may not have valued her as much as you did? Would they even believe her if she said she did value, Leyla? They hadn’t seen her in years, but surely they knew that she tried to keep in touch? Cadenza sighed and helped with her luggage and she looked around the foyer to get a better feel for the place as she followed Baldric inside, still not sure what she should do in this instance besides do as she was told.

 

[Yusuke]

"Now where are my manners, let me take that and I can reacquaint you with your new home," he spoke with a slight chuckle. He already saw much of a young Leyla in her predecessor, though that would make sense with their family background and all. Leyla Oriane was a headstrong, reliable woman who garnered the respect of many in the world of magic and with some work Cadenza could rise to similar status. The family heads throughout the years had come and gone during Faust's time. Each one impressing him in their own ways. His service dated back to the early days of the family's success, though when exactly he swore himself to protecting the Oriane family only he knew. But the fact he had stuck around as long as he had was quite the testament to his loyalty.

Faust gave a quick snap of his fingers and two other servants rushed onto the scene, one politely taking the luggage Cadenza held onto and the other seeing to her chest. "See these to the master bedroom," Faust ordered as the other two hobbled up the central flight of stairs, hauling the heavy amount of luggage with them. With that taken care of, he guided Cadenza down a long hall to her right, keeping a relaxed pace as to let her take in the sights.

"Not much has changed since you last visited, though I don't believe you've gotten to see everything the manor has to offer. Through there is the main dining hall," he gestured to a set of double doors, not stopping to further inspect the room, "We have a fantastic meal planned to celebrate your arrival, I hope you look forward to it."

Faust then continued through the winding halls, pointing out the points of interest as they went. The mansion was well equiped for any needs almost anyone could have. Everything from a grand library, to a comfortable lounge, among many other amenities; and it was all brought together by the finely crafted courtyard that sat in the middle of the estate.

After making the full rounds around the manor, the two eventually reached the master bedroom. Faust parted the doors to reveal her luggage had been safely escorted to the room. "And this, Miss Cadenza, is where you will be staying. It's a tad bare now that we had to remove most of Miss Leyla's belongings but I hope it's to your liking. Don't hesitate to ask for anything you need to make the space more liveable," Faust said, hoping he had made enough of an impression.

 

[VikingWitch]

Cadenza didn’t mind lugging around her suitcase, the one she was holding wasn’t all that heavy since it only held the items that were most precious to her. She still reluctantly handed it over. “Careful with that,” she said. “There’s a few fragile things in it.”

She stepped into the manor and looked around at the entrance, it was still so big and open and airy. Exactly how Leyla would like it. Faust snapped his fingers and summoned two more servants to take the rest of her luggage to her new bedroom. Then Faust offered a tour of the manor since she hadn’t been there in such a long time. “Would you mind terribly?” she asked. “It’s been so long since I’ve been here, I don’t think I quite remember where everything is.”

They made their way through the house and she looked around at everything. It hadn’t changed much, the fireplaces glowed pleasantly with small fires, they would probably be tended to a bit later. The furniture looked a bit different at least, if not always plush and comfortable and the flower arrangements always looked different and beautiful. The mansion rooms always had high ceilings and everything was huge. Cadenza remembered a particular phrase that her grandmother adopted from the younger kids that Cadenza brought around when she was a kid, "Go big or go home" and Leyla always referred to everything in her house as such. She didn't think there was a point in having a bunch of money if she wasn't going to make a few things bigger than necessary. The walls on the inside were also made out of the same material as the outside wall, so the rooms always had a warm glow from the lights on the walls and the fireplaces.

She scratched the back of her neck and smiled crookedly at the butler to show her embarrassment at his comment. Cadenza had meant to visit, she really had, but there was too much to do and she was too far away. Surely if she really wanted to visit though, she would’ve found the time. She wondered if any of them resented her for it? They wandered around the manor and she took in as much as she could and was a bit surprised at how much she still remembered. The tour ended at a pair of double doors and Faust opened them wide to a grandmaster bedroom where her luggage was waiting for her.

Cadenza took a step into the room and looked around, and was hit with a creeping realization. This was her grandmother’s room, there were still things, objects, scents, even some of the decor that was around the room that still felt like her grandmother. She didn’t know how to bring it up at first that she wouldn’t feel comfortable immediately taking over the former mistress’ room. Cadenza rested a hand against the banister of the bed and just decided to ask. “Oh, this was my grandmother’s room before,” she said, she had meant it to come out as a question, but sounded more like a statement.

She wasn’t sure if she was comfortable with this. Her grandmother had barely started cooling in her grave and she was moving into her room. “Is there not another room I could use?” she asked. “Not that I’m not grateful for all the work you’ve done, it just feels rather odd.”