2.
The wrought iron gates creaked open behind him with a sound too loud for the hush that clung to the estate. Lucian stepped cautiously inside, the weight of the city dust still clinging to his boots, and the air smelling of clipped roses and polished stone.
The estate was enormous — a mansion of glass and marble framed by sprawling gardens, tall hedges, and smooth gravel paths that seemed to stretch endlessly.
Uniformed staff moved through the grounds with mechanical precision, carrying baskets, pushing carts, trimming hedges, or watering potted vines. No one looked up. No one slowed down.
Lucian tightened his grip on the strap of his canvas bag.
Where was he supposed to go? Who could he ask?
He tried catching the attention of a man passing by with a wheelbarrow, but the man didn’t even glance at him.
Another group of workers in matching uniforms hurried past without pause. They all seemed too busy, too focused, too practiced at ignoring what didn’t concern them.
He stood there — still, uncertain — in the middle of a polished stone path that forked in three directions.
Just then, someone collided with his shoulder.
Cynthia Ellis (MC's friend, B)
Oh! Sorry— I didn’t see you there!
A girl stood before him, arms full of laundry, a handkerchief tucked behind one ear and her dark curls slightly frazzled from the wind. Her eyes were wide with surprise, then embarrassment.
Lucian quickly shook his head and waved his hands to say it’s fine.
She blinked, looking him over — the old coat, the canvas bag, the slight tension in his shoulders. Then her gaze dropped to the notepad he was now holding.
Cynthia Ellis (MC's friend, B)
...Are you—um… mute?
Cynthia Ellis (MC's friend, B)
Are you… new?
He flipped the notepad open and scribbled quickly.
Lucian Britton (MC, RO)
{ Here for the garden assistant job. I don’t know where to go.}
The girl tilted her head, reading it slowly, her lips forming the words silently.
Cynthia Ellis (MC's friend, B)
Oh. Ohhh, right! That’s Miss Elen’s department. Head maid.
She gave him a quick, apologetic smile.
Cynthia Ellis (MC's friend, B)
She’s always grumpy, but she’s the one who handles hiring. Come on—I’ll take you.
Lucian blinked, surprised, but followed.
The girl walked fast but kept glancing over her shoulder to make sure he was still close.
Cynthia Ellis (MC's friend, B)
Name’s Cynthia, by the way. Laundry wing. If you ever need extra towels, I’m your girl.
He offered a small nod and the tiniest of smiles, which she seemed proud to have earned.
They passed the back veranda and entered through a servant’s hallway — clean, narrow, and echoing with distant footsteps. Down the corridor, Cynthia paused outside a heavy wooden door and knocked twice.
A curt voice called from inside.
Elen Davis (Head Maid)
What is it now?
Cynthia pushed the door open and peeked in.
Cynthia Ellis (MC's friend, B)
Miss Elen? There’s someone here for the gardening position.
A sharp-featured woman looked up from a thick ledger, glasses perched at the end of her nose, her salt-and-pepper hair pulled into a tight bun. She glanced at Lucian once — quick, assessing, professional.
Cynthia Ellis (MC's friend, B)
And he’s mute.
Cynthia added in a small voice.
Cynthia Ellis (MC's friend, B)
But he has notes.
Elen Davis (Head Maid)
All right. Leave him, Cynthia.
Cynthia gave Lucian an encouraging look and whispered.
Cynthia Ellis (MC's friend, B)
Good luck.
Before disappearing down the hallway with a bounce in her step.
Lucian was left standing there, silent but steady.
Miss Elen approached slowly, folding her arms.
Elen Davis (Head Maid)
You’re the mute one the flyer mentioned?
He nodded and held up his note.
Lucian Britton (MC, RO)
{ Lucian. Here for the job. I can do everything.}
She looked him up and down.
Elen Davis (Head Maid)
Can you lift heavy bags of soil? Weed flower beds without ruining them? Climb ladders?
Lucian nodded. Then wrote:
Lucian Britton (MC, RO)
{ Grew up on land. Took care of everything. My hands know what they’re doing.}
Miss Elen was quiet for a moment.
Then finally, she gave a short nod.
Elen Davis (Head Maid)
We’ll see. The gardens haven’t had proper care in months. You’ll start today.
And just like that, Lucian was in.
Still mute. Still scentless.
But standing on the edge of something that would bloom quietly, deeply— and change everything.
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