ELEANOR
I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. The maid’s dress fit awkwardly on my frame, the stiff fabric clinging to me like an unwanted second skin. I sighed, adjusting the apron that felt too tight around my waist. It had been a few days since Isabella brought it to me, and now I was officially one of Armando’s housemaids. The reality of it sank in deeper with each passing second.
I had avoided leaving my room up until now, relying on the maids to bring me meals whenever I needed food. But today, that changed. Today, I would be walking through Armando’s mansion, being shown around like I was part of his staff—because, in his eyes, I was.
Isabella knocked on my door, her voice soft. “Miss Eleanor, are you ready?”
I took a deep breath and nodded, even though I wa
