Lord's Desire

ZWÖLF

He interrupted us just as we were about to finish. "Can you join me for dinner later?" I asked, coming to a halt. "For what?"

"The Manor feels empty; only the servants are present; do you want me to eat alone at that long table?" I was about to respond when someone knocked. A servant entered. "Excuse me, my Lord; Mister Berkshire is waiting for you outside." Mister Berkshire? Is it a friend?

"Did he say why he came?" he inquired, "No, my Lord." He then exited the cabin, and I followed. I do not want him to lecture me any longer. A tall man stood there, with dark brown side-parted hair that reached his brows and covered his brows; his brown eyes were also noticeable. Is he a businessman, or a Nobleman, judging by his appearance?

"Hey, there, Theo- Ohh, well, hello there, missy. What's your name?" He was greeting Theodore when he noticed me. "Greetings! I am Mei-" I was about to respond when Theodore cut me off.

"What do you want now, Max?" he asked irritably. "My apologies, My Lord!" he joked as he wrapped his arms around his neck, giving him a headlock and ruffling his hair.

Theodore resisted, then laughed and released him. Theodore straightened up, then punched him on the shoulder. Are they close? Is this a felony? "Should I call a guard, Theodore?" I worriedly asked. "This girl is a worrywart, Theodore, and this will be a problem in the future—" Theodore cut the man off mid-sentence.

"Meet Maximilliano Berkshire, one of my friends; he's a big boss who provides Ylury with clothes; he's the famous CEO of MAXIMILLIAN APPAREL," Theodore said. I was taken aback. He is the CEO in question; I cannot believe I am wearing his clothes right now. I like the way he designs clothing. "There's no need for the formality; I'm just an elite, an upper-born, unlike this guy right here," he joked as he punched Theodore in the stomach.

"Oh, I'm Mei Chen, the secretary to the Speaker of the House of Commons, and I'm a low-born, pardon me," I said formally. "The Hierarchy doesn't matter, missy; don't worry," he chuckled, and I nodded in response.

"What brings you here, Max?" Theodore inquired. "I just need your permission," he laughed, his fingers forming a peace sign and his other hand behind his head.

"For what?" Theodore snickered. "You are an Upper-Born; if you have issues, please proceed to the House Of Commons." He groaned, "I've been there, Theo; I need you to sign this; it's for Ylury's Fashion Week, and I need permission to use the Ruins of Labyrinth," he said, his eyes pleading.

"Have you gone insane, Maximilliano? The Ruins? It has been untouched for almost a decade, yet you are using it for what? A fashion runway? It might collapse or put you in danger." He was furious, but he sounded worried, "No worries, little Theo, I got the Ramirez's behind my back, sign the papers, please? It would help if you moved your hand for a few strokes; then it is done." The House of Common Is he accusing Theodore?

"Fine, fine, give me that, let us head in first. My stamp is inside. Also, while you are at it, kindly bring a Dinner Dress, made with silk or velvet only, and pair of satin boots, both in the maroon shade, in her size, of course. Be it the finest, include jewelry as well. Bring the best madame, you know," Mister Max teased as he dragged me inside. He came to a halt. "Oh, Max, enough of your comments; just do as I say," Theodore grumbled. "Yes, My Lord," he said as he took out his phone and dialed a number.

A van appeared in front of us a few minutes later. A woman in her mid-30s entered with five servants carrying luggage. Theodore then walked up to them. "Here you go, Max, as promised," he said, handing over the folder containing the papers Mister Max had requested. They bowed and curtsied to Theodore. "Greetings, My Lord," Theodore said with a nod. I was dragged to the Master Chamber by the lady.

She drew a platform from the luggage and dresses and other items I do not even know what they were. She forced me to stand on the platform in front of the mirror. "Greetings! My name is Madame Clémentine Manoury, and I'll polish for tonight." She made me wear a chemise, an unshaped undergarment that reaches just below the knees and has a drawstring neckline. "You'll look stunning after this," says the stylist.

It is all white. Drawers with a back button closure and open-legged legs are conveniently located beneath the chemise. Calf-length drawers with scalloped, embroidered hems. She forced me to wear a corset with back lacing and a front busk closure.

She held it tightly, making it difficult for me to breathe. The Under petticoat is worn over the Corset and Corset Cover; it is simple and only layered with a single petticoat. She mentioned that petticoats are worn over six times for a significant skirt effect at formal events.

However, because this is only a Dinner Dress, she only layered a single petticoat. I am already uneasy with these four layers I am wearing, and she is adding more. She made me wear a hoop skirt that accentuated my bottoms.

She then placed the Over Petticoat on top of the hoop skirt. She forced me to wear a lace dress beneath the petticoat. She made me put on the main gown next. It was maroon in color and made of silk.

The silk was scrunched into a ribbon from behind, with a maroon silk ribbon wrapped in front of me with a gold base. It had long sleeves and a notched collar. It had this fabric that connected both sides, with gold buttons on each.

It had white lace details on the hemlines and neckline. I wore gloves as well, and she gave me a fan. She wore a maroon velvet choker with a gold pendant that matched the design of my earring; my hair was pulled back into a chignon bun. Finally, she made me wear maroon satin boots.

"I can't believe my eyes! You're beautiful, the most beautiful of all! Let us just put natural makeup on you, and your skin is pale, which is a trend for royals. Can you walk? Are you okay? Everything fits perfectly, like it's specially tailored for you," she said. "Don't worry, and you'll get used to it once you become Lady of the House," she teased. "Uhm, you misunderstood me; I am not Theodore's—I mean, the Noble Lord's—Partner."

"Really? I thought you were, we were told—Oh never mind, Lady Mei, good luck." She led me to the loft, where Theodore and the others were. "You've caught her good, Theo," Mister Max teased. Theodore's servant then entered.

He looked at me with admiration; for a split second, I felt like we were in different worlds as I stared back at him; he had his hair slicked side part, and he was dressed in a black tuxedo set similar to the one he wore after the inauguration. He wore the eagle pin that his father had given him, a maroon tie, and black shoes.

"Greetings, My Lord. Your carriage is ready," Theodore said as he thanked the Coachman. He then took my arm in his arms, and when I looked up, he smiled reassuringly. "Let us go," he says.

I had not even agreed yet, and yet here I am, on their way to their Manor. It is not a problem. He stated that we were the only ones present. There will be no one else. He led me outside, where I saw the carriage. The carriage was black with the same symbol as Theodore's brooch, and it had horses in front.

Theodore followed me inside after the footman led me in. The interior of the carriage is spacious, with a maroon seat covering. It also had maroon curtains, and our seats faced each other. I looked out the window.

"Thank you, Mei," he said with a smile. What came out of nowhere? "Yes?"