the devil's bride

the tour

Elana woke up and looked out the window. She jumped up from the bed, realizing she had slept off.

Well, it wasn't really bad. Ethan had told her to just relax.

Her mind drifted to him. What was he doing while she was asleep? Had he even come to check on her?

Not being able to contain herself, she crawled to the edge of the huge bed and jumped down. She walked to the door and immediately went downstairs.

_How am I actually going to find Ethan in this huge mansion?_

Just as she wondered that, the butler — McJohn, Elana remembered — appeared in front of her. "Good evening, madam. How may I help you? Are you perhaps hungry?"

"Uhm, I'm not really hungry," Elana said softly. "Just wondering where Ethan is."

"Oh. Sorry, but Sir Ethan left a while ago. He left a message for you. He said he would be back by 8. He had urgent work to attend to."

"Okay, thank you." Elana smiled and looked around, not knowing what to do. It was still 6:23. Ethan wouldn't be back till eight. What should she do till then?

"Dinner will be ready in about an hour," McJohn said. "In the meantime, I'd be more than happy to show you around the mansion."

At that, Elana's eyes lit up. She couldn't wait to see more of the beautiful mansion. "Yes, of course. Lead the way." She stepped aside for him, and the tour began.

McJohn made sure to show Elana all around the mansion.

Libraries. Gyms. A movie room. The garden. And, of course, a pool at the back of the house.

McJohn enjoyed the way Elana's eyes lit up every time he opened a new door. He liked how natural she was.

She didn't seem like those spoiled heiresses who disrespected servants and thought of them as beneath them.

He had only just met her today, but she didn't look at him in disdain. She didn't seem disgusted by the presence of a "lowly servant" before her. She simply enjoyed the tour.

The tour was still ongoing until—

_BAM_

Elana and a maid with a tray collided. The contents of the tray — water — poured all over Elana's dress, soaking it.

The maid wore the same uniform as the rest. Fair skin, blonde hair, blue eyes.

"Cassidy, what is wrong with you? Are you blind?" McJohn snapped. "Apologize this instant."

When the maiden refused to say anything, he cut in again.

"A-am so very sorry, ma'am," the maiden stammered, trembling badly. She was sobbing softly. "I didn't m-mean to."

Elana's heart melted. "It's okay. Mistakes happen." She took the maiden's hands to reassure her.

"Thank you, young madam. You're so kind." The maiden bowed deeply, picked up the cup, and walked away.

"Deeply sorry about your dress," McJohn said, his tone respectful. "I suppose you'll have to change. Unfortunately, this is the end of the tour. We can continue another time."

"Okay. I'll go change then." Elana turned to leave. They weren't too far from her room, and she knew the way. McJohn followed quietly behind her.

"Also, when you change, please come downstairs for dinner," he added. "I've been so occupied with touring you that I forgot dinner was served a while ago. My apologies."

"It's okay," Elana replied. She had enjoyed the tour.

Elana got to her room and went inside. She peeled off the wet dress and changed into a set of pajamas instead. She checked the time. 7:13.

'It seems Ethan isn't going to make it for dinner' She had thought he would at least be back before dinner.

She sighed in disappointment. There were things she wanted to discuss with him.

"Wait, why am I sad?" Elana mumbled to herself. "He'll come back anyway."

She opened the door and went downstairs, toward where she remembered the dining table was.

There, she met Margaret, the head cook, who greeted her politely. "Good evening, Mrs. Allen. Your dinner is ready. Please have a seat and enjoy."

"Thank you." Elana sat in the chair Margaret pulled out for her.

The dining table was huge. About twenty chairs, by Elana's estimation.

There were different mouth-watering dishes, and Elana didn't waste time. She dug in. She hadn't eaten since she left the hospital, so she was starving.

The food tasted delicious, but she still felt a little lonely. Even with Daniel, she had been lonely. He was always busy or out of the house. But being on her own wasn't something Elana was used to.

So she turned to Margaret, who was still standing behind her. "Have you eaten yet?" she asked, mouth full.

Margaret looked shocked. Then she answered, hesitant but respectful. "No, ma'am. I will eat after I'm sure my young madam has eaten to her satisfaction."

"Well, in that case, why don't you join me? The food here is too much. I'm not sure I'm going to finish it all."

"Thank you for the offer, young madam, but it's absurd for a lowly servant like me to eat with the young madam."

"I know. But can't the rules be bent a little? Please. Just this once." Elana gave her puppy eyes.

Margaret couldn't refuse. She sat down nervously.

Elana took the initiative. She grabbed a new plate, placed it in front of Margaret, and filled it with food. "Don't hesitate. Eat to your heart's content."

Margaret smiled a little at that. She picked up her spoon and started eating.

Throughout dinner, Elana asked Margaret a few innocent questions. Margaret answered respectfully but honestly.

Soon, dinner came to an end.

***

It was over an hour after dinner. 8:36pm. Still no sign of Ethan.

Elana had been lying on the couch, reading a book she wasn't really interested in. Just to fight sleep until Ethan came back.

To no avail.

Sleep carried her.

Soon she was asleep, with the book on her face, still on the couch.