Breakfast

Knock! Knock.

"Come in," Irene politely replied to the person knocking on the door. She had slept like a log all night, despite being in a new place. Exhaustion from running and Cyril's unresponsive behaviour had left her feeling confused.

At least Cyril had provided her with clothes and bandaged her wounds. Her feet were also bandaged, causing her some discomfort.

"Mam, sir is asking for you to come and have breakfast," a maid said, bowing her head respectfully.

"How about bringing me my breakfast here? And you don't need to bow. I'm just a guest, not the owner or an important person in this mansion," Irene smiled awkwardly, feeling uncomfortable with the maid's deference.

In the Jones' family, nobody, not even the guards, had ever shown her any respect as a human being. They treated her like an insect, or maybe even worse. So, seeing this young girl, who was perhaps only slightly older than her, treating her with such respect was a new experience.

"I can't do that, mam. Otherwise, t