Myra was sitting on the bed with her arms wrapped around her knees, staring into space. A teardrop rolled down from her left eye as she thought about how drastically her life had changed over the past few days.
She felt completely lost and alone.
Myra had no idea what she was getting into. Even when she was kicked out of her relatives' house a week ago, she hadn't felt this lonely, because at that time, she was determined to find a way to survive on her own, independently. But now, all her confidence was draining away, and she was starting to feel helpless.
The Lord and the people she had recently become acquainted with were all kind toward her, regardless of their social standing.
Lady Florence, on the other hand, was an especially friendly person. Myra actually enjoyed shopping with her, but at the same time, she felt extremely guilty for using the Lord's money to buy a dress for herself —even though the Lady had forced her to.
A knock on the door snapped her out of her thoughts. The door opened before Myra could even respond. She quickly wiped her wet cheeks and turned to look at the person who had stepped in.
Lord Theodore was standing by the door with one hand still gripping the doorknob. He stared at her, expressionless, for a second before stepping completely into the room and closing the door behind him.
Myra sat up straight on the bed when she saw the Lord in her room. She had expected it to be Alvin or one of the maids letting her know that the Lord had returned to the mansion —but certainly not the Lord himself.
"I heard from Alvin that you wished to see me?" he asked, dragging the stool away from the dressing table and sitting next to the bed.
"Y-Yes, my Lord."
Lord Theodore had a very dominating aura about him. Myra started to feel a little intimidated.
He raised his eyebrows, noticing how red her eyes had become. Before Myra could speak again, Theo asked bluntly, "Why were you crying?"
Myra looked away, his gaze making her feel uncomfortable.
"Did somebody hurt you?" he asked. "Or say something that made you sad?"
Myra shook her head, still refusing to look at him. Theodore exhaled audibly and gently touched her chin with his fingers and thumb, tilting her face so she would look at him.
They stared at each other. His golden-orange eyes bore into her brown ones, observing her closely as if trying to plunge deep into her soul. Myra felt as if she were in some kind of trance. The world around her seemed to pause, and all she could see were a pair of mesmerizing golden orbs.
Theo smiled at her a moment later, breaking the eye contact.
"Your eyes are very red," he said, pulling his hand away.
"I'm sorry," mumbled Myra, her gaze lowered.
He tilted his head, puzzled. "Why are you apologizing? Did you commit a crime I should know of?"
Myra shook her head quickly, then pulled out the expenditure card from her pocket and handed it to him.
"I didn't mean to spend your money, my Lord," she said softly, her voice tight. "But Lady Florence insisted I buy a dress. I tried to say no… but—"
Theo glanced at the card and let out an amused chuckle. "Hmm… should I punish you then?"
She looked up in alarm.
"For spending my money?" he added, smirking.
"I—I'm so sorry, my Lord," she blurted, tears falling again. "I truly didn't mean—"
"Let's see…" he said, mock-serious, tapping his chin. "Snowflakes Ball."
Myra blinked, confused.
"What?"
"You will wear your new dress and accompany me to the Snowflakes Ball," he declared, as if it were a royal decree. "That's your punishment."
She blinked. What did he just say?
"Crybaby," he added casually. "You know, you kind of look like a puffer fish right now. All puffed up and blotchy."
She wiped her cheeks with the sleeve of her dress, glaring at him inwardly.
"S-Snowflakes Ball?" she repeated, trying to steer the conversation back to sense.
She had never been to a social gathering before. Her aunt Lyla had never allowed her to attend one, and she was surprised that the Arcadian Lord had invited her to join him, to one of those high-society functions. And as a punishment?
"Next month. In Wendyln," he confirmed. "You'll be going with me."
Wendyln? Next month?
Her heart dropped. She couldn't possibly stay here for that long.
The Lord and the others had shown her nothing but kindness — but that didn't change the truth. She didn't belong here. She wasn't noble. Just a nobody, rescued by chance. The longer she stayed, the more she felt like an intruder.
Taking a deep breath, Myra decided to speak up.
"My Lord," she said, hesitating, "I don't think I can stay here that long."
Theodore narrowed his eyes for a moment before putting on a nonchalant expression.
"Is your stay not comfortable?"
"No! It's been very comfortable," she said quickly. "It's just… I don't want to take advantage of your hospitality. You've done enough for me already."
Theodore interlocked his fingers and leaned forward, watching her attentively. "Where are you planning to stay then?" he asked, his face bored, as if her answer didn't matter to him. "If not here?"
Myra pressed her lips into a thin line, staring at her hands in her lap.
"I don't know," she muttered.
"Planning to wander the streets until you stumble into another bunch of muggers?" Theodore asked dryly.
"I was thinking of finding a job somewhere to support myself, perhaps?" she added uncertainly, finally mustering the courage to lift her head and meet his gaze.
Theodore slowly nodded.
"My Lord, you have been very generous toward me, and I'm extremely grateful for that," she said. "B-But I can't keep staying here as a guest. I feel like I'm freeloading in your mansion."
"What kind of job are you looking for?" he asked calmly.
Myra's palms were sweating. She wiped them on her skirt, squirming under his intense gaze.
"Ah... I, uh..." she sputtered. "Any job that pays well and is safe. I can do household chores quite well, but I don't have any prior work experience."
"Hmm..." responded the Lord. "I'll try to find a decent job for you—one that pays well and comes with security and lodging."
Myra sat up straight and her eyes widened in surprise. "You… you will?"
"You'll stay here until I find proper employment for you," said Theodore, rising from the stool.
"Thank you, my Lord."
He nodded and headed toward the door. Before walking out, he turned and said,
"But my punishment still applies. You're accompanying me to the ball."
With that, he walked out without a second glance.