Chapter 2

(A/N: The names I used for the triplets are their actual names. I looked it up online. For those reading this fic who are "Trancy Manor Triplets" fans that were wondering what their names were but couldn't find them, here you go. ^_^)

Trying as she might, after a while; the young woman could not go back to sleep. So, despite what Claude had told her, she climbed out of bed, put her shoes back on, and left the bed chamber to explore the manor, so as to get to know her way around. As she stepped out into the hall, she took the dark blue ribbon out of her hair and tied it to the door handle, in case she were to get lost and need to find her way back to the bedroom she had been placed in. A growl from her stomach gave her influence to seek out the kitchen first.

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"What are you doing out of bed? Claude told us he gave you strict instruction to rest until he returned." One of the triplets said, not looking up from his task of stirring the soup. The girl smiled apologetically.

"I know, but I was getting a bit hungry. And I wanted to walk around and stretch my legs a bit. I was feeling restless." One of the other triplets sighed and took an apple out of the fruit bowl and handed it to her.

"Here, you can eat this for now. We can't allow you to eat too much before dinner, or Claude will never let us hear the end of it. Come now. I'll take you back to your room. If he comes back and you're not there, we'll ALL get yelled at." He said, ushering her out of the kitchen.

"Hey," she said after a moment, "What are your names? You never told me." The triplet who was trying to escort her back to her room sighed.

"My name is Thompson, the one that's cooking is Cantebury, and the other one that's chopping vegetables is Timber. Now that you know mine and my brothers' names, will you PLEASE let me take you back to your room?" he pressed. The girl sighed.

"Alright, alright. I'm sorry to be such a bother. Like I said, I was just a bit restless…say, Thompson, if it's not too much trouble, do you think you could help me find a towel? I'd like to take a bath if it's alright." Thompson nodded.

"Of course. And while you're doing that, I suppose I ought to mend that dress and find you something else to wear. I think there may be something that will fit you. If not, you could borrow some of my clothes and we'll ask our master to let us go shopping for you when he returns." He said, reaching into a cupboard in the hallway and handing her a towel. The girl thanked him and went back into her room, closing the door behind her.

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As the ebony haired maiden laid in the cool, relieving bath, staring at the ceiling, she began to wonder what would become of her when she was fully recovered. Would the Earl Trancy allow her to stay and be one of his servants? If she asked it of him, would he give her a name? Or would he merely turn her away, leaving her to wander the streets of London, cold and nameless? Deciding if she had time to think of such things, she had been in the bath too long, she stood and stepped out of the tub, wrapping the towel around her naked form.

"Perhaps I ought to go see if Thompson has found me something to cover up with. I've been in the bath for some time. Surely he must have SOMETHING for me to wear by now?" she mumbled to herself after a thought.

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The young maiden instantly regretted her decision to leave her room. She had only been walking about the mansion for ten minutes, and already she was lost. She also mentally kicked herself for her late recollection of what Claude said about the bells and how she could have had Thompson come to her. But, as she was already down the stairs and completely turned around, there was nothing that could be done at the moment. As she made her way past one of the staircases, she heard Claude's voice say,

"You're Highness, I must advise against you sliding down the railings in such a-" before something heavy knocked her to the floor and rendered her unconscious.

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Alois blinked his aqua eyes in surprise as he felt himself land on something soft and warm. Pressing down to sit up, he felt his hands touching something squishy. When he looked down to see what it was, he saw…breasts. When he took a proper look, he saw a young woman of about sixteen years with long curly black hair and pale skin. Even wearing nothing but a bath towel, he though she looked just like a porcelain doll he had seen once. Curious, he opened her towel, peeking at her slender body.

"Goodness me, I didn't think your highness was such a lecher." Claude joked in a monotone voice. Flustered that he'd been caught in the act, the blonde closed the girl's towel and swiftly stood up.

"Claude, who is this girl?" he demanded, trying to sway his butler from the previous subject. Claude picked the girl up bridal style.

"She has no name, I'm afraid. The triplets found her in the woods behind the manor in an overturned carriage. She was left with only amnesia, a few minor injuries, and a fever." He explained. Alois smirked.

"Well, our little porcelain doll can't go without a name now, can she? I'll call her Madeline." Claude nodded.

(Thompson's PoV)

I blinked as I walked into the main room to see that the Master and Hannah had returned, as had Claude. Hannah was already taking out the china for dinner, and in Claude's arms was the girl wearing her bath towel. . .and she was unconscious. The Master looked at me.

"What is that?" he asked.

I looked down at the dark red dress I had found for her, then back at him.

"I found this for the girl to put on after her bath." I replied. The Master gave a noise of disgust.

"It's ghastly! You were going to dress Madeline in THAT? I think not! Hannah! Come here at once!" the maid flinched, but did as she was told.

(Reg. PoV)

"Y-yes?" Hannah asked timidly. Alois looked up at her.