The sound of a trunk closing caught Lucy's attention as she finished compiling this week's chores and duties. She got up from the chair with a small groan. Mary ran by Lucy into the entrance hall to open the doors for Emily and Orion. Ally soon came in after them with more groceries and a smile on her face.

"Don't worry about putting this away, Lu. Mary and I've got this," Ally said, and her grin turned mischievous.

Lucy narrowed her eyes as Mary quickly darted into the kitchen behind her. Straightening her suit, Lucy walked to where Emily and Orion were standing in the doorway with confused looks on their faces. Emily looked at Lucy questioningly, and Lucy shrugged in return. She had no idea what those two were up to.

"Are you done with your duties for the day?" Orion asked with a shining smile.

"Actually, Orion, I was wondering if I could speak to Lucy privately," Emily said and looked to Lucy.

"Oh, of course. Lucy, I'll be waiting in the library when you're done," Orion replied and walked down the hallway.

Emily shifted uncomfortably as Orion disappeared. She was still uncomfortable with Lucy. It was understandable why she had warmed up so quickly to Orion; he was very charming. However, Lucy still couldn't figure out what made Emily so wary. Perhaps the girl had better intuition than Lucy had thought.

"Could we take this outside?" Emily asked awkwardly.

Lucy nodded and led the way out to the garden. At first, she had been thankful for Emily's intrusion, but now she grew more worried. Finding another maid wouldn't be easy. The Mistress was both fickle and choosy, so Lucy hoped that it was just a request for a break. Lucy checked the garden quickly. There were no intruders, but The Mistress likely had cameras set up on the grounds.

"Um… I wanted to ask you about Orion," Emily said with an irritated expression.

Lucy's heart soared. Had her plan worked? No, this was too quick for Emily to be this angry; it had to be another reason. Lucy tilted her head to the side in a questioning look asking for clarification.

"He really… cares about you, you know. I know why you did what you did, and I don't like it at all."

Lucy raised her eyebrow in return and asked, "Why I did what?"

"You asked me to go with Orion to get lunch and groceries. You were trying to push him off on someone else. Don't you roll your eyes! You know I'm right! He fawns over you and does whatever you say whenever you say it, and you don't care about him in the least."

"Is that why you're so angry? You think that I'm leading him on. I have been very direct with our guest, told him several times that I remain uninterested, and only deal with him when necessary or out of politeness. I'm sorry if you feel that I was 'pushing him' on you, but perhaps I was trying to get him to look to other people. To stop focusing on me."

"Is this what the real you looks like?" Emily asked with a look of scorn and crossed her arms in indignation. "You constantly push people away with that fake politeness and that even more fake smile, but right now… you just look empty inside."

"Thank you for your stunning analysis of my character, but… I have more pressing matters to attend to. Apologies," Lucy retorted with snark before she started to walk back to the manor.

"Do you like being alone?" Emily asked causing Lucy to stop in her tracks. "Even I talk to Mary and Emily, but you… you only do what's expected of you. Even Esther is warmer to us, and she avoids us whenever she can. You're supposed to be on our level. Do you think that you're better than us?"

Lucy let out a bark of laughter before turning to see rage on Emily's dark face. She smirked and answered, "No, I don't. Think I'm better than you, that is. Quite the opposite actually."

"What?"

"You see… I have a theory on what makes people strong," Lucy said, and Emily's anger turned into confusion. "It's how people react to tragedy. The strong people find strength and meaning, but the broken… well, we stay that way. The Mistress and I are broken people. I'm well aware that she knows this and is trying to fix herself. For me… I like staying the way I am."

"What? Why?!"

"Because it's the only way I can be closer to them. The people I lost. I watched my little brother slowly die for five hours after the accident. Someone needs to remember them. Someone needs to hurt, and I'd rather it be me."

"Than the detective?" Emily asked quietly before she tightened her arms around herself. "That's pure bull. You're just self-destructing, and you know it. You're not doing anything for Esther, or Orion. It's all just for yourself."

"I am, and I do know, but keep quiet," Lucy said abruptly with little emotion. "And don't worry. My toxicity won't hurt anyone. The Mistress found someone who can fix her, and soon… I'll just leave."

Emily looked at Lucy helplessly and asked, "Why did you choose me over the other two?"

"You're one of the strong ones, Emily," Lucy replied with a small, sad smile. "I've seen. I know. I was hoping… that you two would become good friends, so you could look after each other after I'm gone."

Emily didn't say anything else as Lucy returned to the manor and climbed the staircase to The Mistress' room. Opening the door caused The Mistress to almost fall off of her seat. She gave Lucy a tense look before she relaxed and sighed.

"I forgot to lock that. Come on inside. Quickly. Close it behind you. I'm working on something. You have the day off. Why don't you, Orion, and the girls go somewhere nice?"

"My third choice. I know where I want to go."