Stepping out of my bedchamber with a quiet breath, I make my way down the short stretch of the corridor toward the open seating area where Orlando said he would wait.
The second-floor sitting room is a bright, airy space meant for casual family gatherings or receiving close visitors, complete with plush velvet sofas, a low wooden coffee table, and large arched windows overlooking the estate's sprawling lawns.
As I step into the room, I spot Orlando immediately. He is sitting straight on one of the sofas, completely absorbed in a thick stack of estate documents and reports spread out across the low table in front of him. His brow is furrowed in deep concentration. He's so utterly engrossed in his work that he doesn't even notice the sound of my footsteps entering the room.
I pause for a moment, a fond, amused smile tugging at the corners of my lips, before stepping closer and breaking the silence.
"Brother, here you are," I call out softly, leaning against the back of a nearby chair. "You look awfully busy over there."
Without looking up from the papers, entirely lost in his paperwork, Orlando waves a hand dismissively while keeping his eyes glued to the text.
"Just hold on a second," Orlando replies. "I only have a few last things to look over. Just wait a minute, I'll finish packing these documents away, leave them here, and then I'll take you outside for that stroll you wanted..."
After few minutes, Orlando lifts his head from the papers. His eyes travel up from the hem of my simple dress, past the relaxed, un-corseted bodice, all the way up to my face.
For a solid three seconds, the entire room goes dead silent.
Orlando looks surprised, his eyes widening in sheer, unadulterated shock. The color instantly drains from his face, replaced a second later by a violent, blazing crimson flush that spreads all the way from his neck to the tips of his ears.
For a few heartbeats, Orlando can only stare, his mouth opening and closing soundlessly as his brain tries to process what is happening. Then, the shock shatters into absolute panic.
"W-what... what on earth are you wearing?!" Orlando stammers, leaping up from the sofa so fast his chair wobbles. His face turns the color of a ripe tomato. "Have you completely lost your mind?! Why are you dressed like... like that?!"
I blink innocently, looking down at my yellow cotton dress and smoothing the fabric. "What's wrong with my outfit? Is there something actually wrong with it?"
"Something wrong?!" Orlando sputters, waving his hands frantically as he stammers over his words. "You're wearing... you're wearing that! What happened to your taste?! That kind of simple, loose garment is something commoners wear! We are nobles of the Valerius household, we simply do not walk around looking like... go back inside this instant and change into proper attire!"
"No, I don't want to," I shoot back, crossing my arms firmly. "I am not putting on those suffocating, bone-crushing torture devices ever again. They make me feel like I'm dying of oxygen deprivation! And why are you overreacting so much, Brother? I'm literally just going for a walk in our own family garden. Who cares if it's casual? It's our own estate!"
"It's not about the estate, it's about..." Orlando tries to argue, but I cut him right off.
"No, I'm done. First Lily spent the entire morning nagging me, and now you're starting up with the exact same lectures," I mutter, letting out a heavy, dramatic sigh as my shoulders slump. I turn around and let out a soft, miserable sniffle. "Fine. If my clothes are going to cause this much grief, I guess I'll just go back to my room. I might as well lock myself inside and never step foot outside again..."
I let my voice tremble just a fraction, playing up the pitiful, tragic sister act to absolute perfection.
Orlando's panicked expression instantly crumbles. All his stern, protective bravado evaporates into thin air, replaced by sheer terror at the sight of me looking supposedly crestfallen.
"W-wait! No, no, hold on! Don't be like that!" Orlando stammers, rushing forward a step and holding his hands out placatingly. "I didn't mean it like that! Don't go back inside, please! Look, if... if you really hate the formal gowns that much, it's fine. Just wear whatever you want, alright? Just...don't be sad !"
I pause mid-turn, peeking back at him through my eyelashes with a tiny, triumphant smirk hidden from his view, before turning back around with a neutral expression.
"Are you sure?" I ask softly, playing the part.
"Yes, yes, absolutely sure," Orlando sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose as a defeated flush colors his cheeks. "Just... behave yourself out there, alright? It's getting late, so let's just go before I change my mind."
With a bright smile returning to my face, I turn to Lily, who is still standing nearby looking like she might pass out from shock.
"Lily, you don't need to follow us around anymore," I tell her gently. "Go take a break and rest in your room. He is going to accompany me, so everything will be fine."
Lily looks back and forth between the two of us, wringing her hands anxiously. "P-please, my Lady... behave yourself out there. Please don't do anything foolish to anger the Young Master," she pleads in a whisper.
"Don't worry, I'll be on my best behavior," I reassure her with a wink.
Leaving a still-worried Lily behind, I turn and walk side-by-side with Orlando as we finally head out toward the estate grounds.
As we step through the grand glass doors and the magnificent estate grounds stretch out before us, I gasp softly, my eyes going wide.
Good grief... I think to myself, staring around in absolute awe. I knew Elanore's family was wealthy, but our actual garden is completely massive and breathtakingly beautiful!