“There is a woman here to call on you, Sir,” Kaiyah said speaking quickly, her eyes down. But before he could say anything, she cut in. “I’m so sorry. I thought you’d have been in the garden, or the dining hall. I didn’t think to check … “ She took a deep breath and composed herself. “But yes, my Lord. She’s waiting in the entrance hall. Lady Delia Azarine.”<br/><br/>Kaiyah’s heart pattered in her chest as her Master touched her on the head and asked to be taken to meet the woman. She was not yet used to him or his ways. He was kind and gentle with her in a way no one else ever had been. Even when he corrected her, there was a forceful kindness about him. It was unfamiliar to her.<br/><br/>The dismal feeling of failure fluttered away from her, and a small eye-toothed smile found its way to her face as she began to walk a step behind her Master, back through the gardens towards the entrance hall.<br/><br/>From behind him she pressed her lips together as she followed him, observing his movements and behaviour carefully. His clothes stood out to her—they were some of the finest clothes she had ever seen, and they fit him stunningly. Her previous master had not been rich, or well cultured like Variel was, and the longer she spent near him, the more she realized how much he knew, and how great he was.<br/><br/>Kaiyah darted ahead of Variel as they neared the doors, which she opened for him with a slight bow of her head before falling into step behind him once more.<br/><br/>“My Lord”—Kaiyah darted ahead again to stand between the woman and Variel—“May I present, Lady Delia Azarine, eldest daughter of Lord Guilla Azarine, First Lord of Bijaff and the Consul of the lands west of the Akhtun Lordship.” Kaiyah crossed her hands in front of her and bowed her head deferentially to the beautiful woman. She was tall, elven, with pointed ears, standing in a dark black gown made of fine silk with glittering jewels woven into the dress. Her dark burgundy hair was done up in an elaborate bun at the back of her head, hands crossed demurely in front of her. Her jaw appeared sharp and angular as her lips curled back into a smile upon seeing Variel arrive.<br/><br/>“Lady Azarine, may I present Lord Variel Sunshadow,” Kaiyah said politely.<br/><br/>Lady Azarine side-eyed Kaiyah with disdain and then smiled to Variel. “The pleasure is mine,” Lady Azarine said, extending her hand and offering it to him as she examined him.<br/><br/>Lady Azarine was taken aback to find him so aesthetically pleasing. Half-elves had never been her type, but there was something unmistakably magnetic about him; something that refused to allow her eyes to leave his face or his body. He looked very much like the adventurer type that she had hoped to find. This was exactly who she would need to recover her family’s long-lost treasure.