By the time Jasper was done cutting my hair, and after making sure every end was perfectly even and was in a 'presentable' state, I could see the sun start the set from a nearby window. As soon as I was release, I fled out of Jasper's bedroom, as he obsessively and freakishly started to clean up the mess by taking out a broom from his closet and sweeping the floor. I've only known the man for a few hours and I've already developed concerns for his mental state.
Once outside the room, I took a hold of small strands of hair and felt it between my fingers. Though I did want my hair cut, a part of me still wanted it to possess the flare and flow it had while long, even if its length was ridiculous. Jasper disapproved greatly, saying that it was disgusting for a man to have long hair, but I was able to convince him to allow it to go a little passed my shoulders. I smiled, enjoying the fact that I didn't look like someone who just came out of the jungle.
"There you are, sir!"
Looking up ahead, I saw Christine running towards me.
"There you are, Mr. Sebastian!" Christine exclaimed, panting heavily like she had ran a marathon. "I've been looking all over for you! When I saw that you weren't in your room resting, I began to panic thinking you have gone somewhere and I-"
She cut herself off as she noticed my hair. I smiled.
"Sorry if I worried you," I said. "Daniel was giving me a tour of the manor and when I met your gardener..."
I gave a slight awkward laugh.
"Well, long story short, Jasper gave me a haircut, one that I desperately needed. Do you like it?"
Christine nodded.
"It does look nicer than before," she replied softly. "Though I hope Jasper wasn't too harsh on you."
She nervously started to rub her arm, an embarrassed look in her eyes.
"He may be a little...strange, but he is very talented. It is a little late now, but if you ever decide to go to the garden, he does a fantastic job trimming the shrubs and arranging the flowers."
"With how well organized his room was, I wouldn't be surprised if he was a genius when it comes to arranging things."
"Yes...I think he is..."
There was an awkward silence, Christine's shyness obviously getting the better of her.
Out of everyone I've met today, she seemed to be the closest thing to normal. Martha, while she was polite, seemed also overly strict. Daniel was overly talkative, Simon seemed too laid back for his own good, Jasper was just...crazy, and Lady Edna I knew almost nothing about. I liked this girl, and perhaps before I leave I could give her a confidence boost. That is...if I decided to leave, or could leave.
Christine's eyes widened.
"Oh, before I forget! The reason I was trying to find you is because Lady Edna wishes to dine with you tonight."
She began to stutter as my smile faded.
"U-unless of course you don't want to! I'm sure my lady will understand if you wanted to rest some more, or did not feel well or something..."
Again, she started to rub her arm.
"No, I'm perfectly fine with it," I quickly said. "Just didn't expect it, that's all."
I walked passed her.
"Actually, I would prefer it. After all, she was the one who originally found me half dead and I have yet to thank her properly."
That, and the fact I would like to get to know her better, to find out why and who she reminded me so much of. I couldn't explain it, then again half of everything I've felt I couldn't explain, but I sensed that if I was to regain my memory, she would be the key into doing so. However, her being the head of this manor, and from what Daniel told me earlier, it may not be that easy of a task. I turned to face Christine.
"So, is she already in the dining hall or am I suppose to be there at a specific time?"
"Um...since she told me to get you a few minutes ago, I would say she is already there...waiting."
With a slight panicked look, she began to go down the hall.
"Follow me and I will take you to her!"
I nodded.
"I'm right behind you."
Leaving the servant quarters, Christine led me through the west hallway and stopped at the doorway before the kitchen. We entered the large dining room, which was a dark, red velvet room with a long table covered by a white table cloth. At the far end of the table, Lady Edna sat, taking small bites of the meal before her.
"Lady Edna, here is Mr. Sebastian," Christine announced, her voice trembling. "And I apologize for bringing him so late, I..."
"That is alright, Christine," Lady Edna said as she slowly looked up to meet Christine's gaze. "There is no hurry. I thank you for bringing him."
Christine eyes widened.
"I...your welcome, my lady."
She then turned to me.
"Enjoy your dinner, Mr. Sebastian."
I smiled.
"Please, just call me Sebastian."
She blushed.
"Okay...Sebastian."
She then retreated, leaving the room as quickly as she could.
"I'm impressed how well Christine is opening up to you."
I blinked, quickly turning my attention to Lady Edna.
"Pardon?"
She took a moment to swallow.
"When she first came here, she was so jittery and nervous that she could barely speak to anyone. It took her days for her to be comfortable around Martha, and only now can she speak to me or Daniel without stuttering so bad."
She gave a small smile.
"You must be quite the charmer."
I gave an uneasy laugh, a small heat rising to my face.
"Well...perhaps it is the fact that I've lost my memory that she feels that she doesn't have to prove anything. I don't know."
I walked over to where Lady Edna sat, where on her right, a place was set for me.
"That may be," Lady Edna replied as I sat down. "But whatever the case is, I'm just glad she won't be so intimidated by you."
She glanced over at my direction.
"I was curious to see what Jasper would do when Daniel told me what happened in the kitchen."
"It was...interesting," I said. "It took him hours to get my hair this way..."
Lady Edna gave a small laugh.
"I bet, from what I saw. Though I kind of liked it that way. It made you seem unique, as I've never seen someone with that long of hair. It was impressive."
"I..."
Somehow I knew I was blushing. God, the more I looked at this woman, the more I begin to feel like Christine!
"...Well, I'm glad you thought so, since I looked terrible."
"You were also badly injured, close to death. Anyone would look bad from that."
She smiled.
"And just by a few hours, you already appear to be feeling better compared to this morning."
Again, I could see myself blushing by the way she was looking at me. That smile...where have I seen it before?
"So, do you feel any better?" Lady Edna asked. "You've had quite the day. You must be exhausted."
"While I am tired, I do not hurt as much," I answered. "I still feel a little weak in the chest, but I should be able to recover soon."
Lady Edna nodded.
"Good, I'm glad. I hope you regain your memory just as soon."
"I...hope so too."
There was a short silence as Lady Edna finished her meal, wiping her red lips with her napkin. I have yet to touch my plate, but at the moment I was not that hungry.
"...I've been thinking about that offer you had mentioned," I finally said, breaking the silence. "About me becoming your butler."
Lady Edna met my gaze.
"You have?"
I nodded.
"I...doubt my memory will come to me so quickly, and since I have nowhere else to go, taking a job here seemed like the most logical thing to do."
It took a moment for Lady Edna to reply.
"...I see. It would."
She smiled.
"Then I'll go ahead and tell you the requirements and what to expect."
She cleared her throat.
"While most noblemen will require great professionalism and perfection, I am not that strict. Since I rarely have a guest, all I ask you is to your duty with minimal effort and be willing to do whatever is asked of you. Now, if guests were to come, then I would ask you to step it up a notch, but that is to be expected. As a butler, your duties will be to maintain order by the other servants, keep the manor tidy, and accompany me whenever I leave the manor for business purposes. Of course, that is just a basic generalization of what you will be doing, as Daniel can give you the exact details."
Oh, I bet he could. Every. Single. Little. Detail...
"Though your pay will be low," Lady Edna continued, "you will have free living spaces, a set of uniforms, and meals. The money you earn will be used for clothes outside the uniform, books, or whatever you may desire. While also being employed to me, I will pay for any medical needs you may have and make sure you feel that this is not only your workplace, but home as well."
I blinked.
"...You are very kind," I said surprised. "I wouldn't think many aristocrats are as kind to their servants."
Lady Edna sighed.
"Unfortunately, most treat their servants like second class citizens. I think of mine as my family, and they deserve to be treated accordingly for all the hard work they do."
Impressive...
I stared at her, as I guessed this is one of the acts that made Lady Edna stand out from the other noblewomen. However, I would consider this one a good trait.
"Sebastian, are you alright?"
I blinked a couple of times, seeing that Lady Edna was giving me a worried look. Damn, I didn't realize I dozed off! Shit...
"Sorry," I said, trying to hide my embarrassment with a large smile. "Long day."
Lady Edna studied me for a short moment.
"...It has been."
She looked down at my coat.
"...Once you are done eating, I can take your coat and have either Martha or Christine wash it. That way you don't have to wear a blood-soaked coat."
"I...thanks," I replied. "I would appreciate it."
Lady Edna nodded.
"You are welcome. Like I said, as my future servant, I will be taking care of you as you will be of me."
...What is this, my third time blushing from something she did or said? God, this woman!
Leaning back in her chair, Lady Edna gave a small smirk and crossed her arms.
"You have yet to eat anything," she pointed out. "I'm not going to have you starve, and neither of us are leaving this table until you've eaten a good amount."
I chuckled.
"As you wish, my lady."
