True Feelings

Elysia led Marie to a small sitting room.

The room was different from the large sitting room used to receive guests.

It was located deep inside the estate and was quiet, with the garden trees visible through the window.

It had once been a room they hardly ever used.

When Monbel was poor, they often kept it closed to save on heating costs, and now that there were too many guests, they used it as a place for quiet conversations instead.

Marie heard the door close.

Strangely, the sound seemed loud.

Elysia did not sit down first.

Marie didn't sit down either.

The two of them stood facing each other for a moment...