don’t be so cold. We saved your lady’s life today.”
His eyes widen as he looks at Andrea. “Saved your life? What does she mean!?”
Andrea waves it off. “It was a bandit attack, but Era here fought them off!” She grabs the supposed guardian and shoves him forward, prompting Jem to tap her toe in regret for making him the sole hero of the story.
Connor gives Era a cold stare. Scratching the back of his head, he stammers, “I-It was… ummm… well, it was all in a day’s work! I’m a bodyguard, and we were passing by, you see…”
The butler loses interest and turns back to Andrea. “Madam, are these strangers to be our guests tonight? You know how your father feels about such fellows ,” he stresses, not hiding his disdain for Jem. “He’s in the market presently but shall return home shortly, and he won’t be pleased.”
“I’m not a child , so I expect you not to speak to me as one,” she responds. “I’ve already given my word, so we have no choice.” She turns the butler around and pushes him inside. “I’ll handle Father, so you go work on dinner!” she exclaims, leaving the three to wander in on their own.
Just inside is a receiving area, its walls adorned with glamorous canvases and two towering sculptures, as if standing guard. An intricately woven rug extends down the main hallway, and an impressive staircase leads to the upper floor. Jem’s jaw drops at the remarkable sight, and she shares a glance with her partner in crime.
Their host runs back in and claps her hands. “Okay, Jem and Di, come with me!” She grabs their wrists and pulls them up the stairs. “Era, you can just wander around or something. Girls only!” she shouts as they disappear.
Era feels a shiver of excitement at being alone in such a luxurious home. The corner of his eye catches Jem sneaking back out to the top of the stairs. She throws him a signal before excitedly disappearing again. Era smiles to himself, glad his partner is as impatient as he is to get started.
Chapter 4
“Di, your outfit is in tatters!” Andrea exclaims, aghast at the sight.
The schoolgirl frowns and looks herself over. The white blouse is dirty and stained, and her skirt is ripped to shreds. “It’s not the right kind of outfit for traveling.”
“Didn’t your relatives give you better clothes?” she asks as she runs her fingers along the girl’s skirt.
Di swallows hard as her innocent brain works to perpetuate the lie. “W-Well, actually no, they said I should buy some along the… I-I mean- Of course they did! But I lost them in a… in a river?” Jem cringes at the horrible attempt.
“I’ll remedy that!” Andrea exclaims, too excited to notice Di’s fabrication. After searching her wardrobe, she withdraws one outfit and says, “I know I have more old clothes in my second wardrobe downstairs. I’ll return shortly!” she calls out as she hurries from the room.
Di anxiously reaches to unbutton her blouse, but Jem stops her. Di’s brow furrows. “Hey, why are you-”
“We’re leaving, naturally.” Jem starts touring the luxurious room, finding all kinds of knick-knacks to stuff in her bag.
Di watches in dismay as the Allerian makes her selections. “J-Jem? You can’t possibly be planning on stealing from Andrea!?”
“Shush! Do you want to get caught? That would make leaving even more awkward.”
“But-”
“Di, do you honestly think our gracious host will even notice these trinkets are missing? She’s checking her second wardrobe for you!” She snags the outfit Di was about to try and says, “Here, I’ll take something for you, too. You’re welcome!”
“But… but…!” Di continues to complain, but she can say nothing more as Jem crams a few last items into her bag.
“This is going to be too easy,” Jem mumbles as she walks out onto the balcony. Like the house itself, the balcony
His eyes widen as he looks at Andrea. “Saved your life? What does she mean!?”
Andrea waves it off. “It was a bandit attack, but Era here fought them off!” She grabs the supposed guardian and shoves him forward, prompting Jem to tap her toe in regret for making him the sole hero of the story.
Connor gives Era a cold stare. Scratching the back of his head, he stammers, “I-It was… ummm… well, it was all in a day’s work! I’m a bodyguard, and we were passing by, you see…”
The butler loses interest and turns back to Andrea. “Madam, are these strangers to be our guests tonight? You know how your father feels about such fellows ,” he stresses, not hiding his disdain for Jem. “He’s in the market presently but shall return home shortly, and he won’t be pleased.”
“I’m not a child , so I expect you not to speak to me as one,” she responds. “I’ve already given my word, so we have no choice.” She turns the butler around and pushes him inside. “I’ll handle Father, so you go work on dinner!” she exclaims, leaving the three to wander in on their own.
Just inside is a receiving area, its walls adorned with glamorous canvases and two towering sculptures, as if standing guard. An intricately woven rug extends down the main hallway, and an impressive staircase leads to the upper floor. Jem’s jaw drops at the remarkable sight, and she shares a glance with her partner in crime.
Their host runs back in and claps her hands. “Okay, Jem and Di, come with me!” She grabs their wrists and pulls them up the stairs. “Era, you can just wander around or something. Girls only!” she shouts as they disappear.
Era feels a shiver of excitement at being alone in such a luxurious home. The corner of his eye catches Jem sneaking back out to the top of the stairs. She throws him a signal before excitedly disappearing again. Era smiles to himself, glad his partner is as impatient as he is to get started.
Chapter 4
“Di, your outfit is in tatters!” Andrea exclaims, aghast at the sight.
The schoolgirl frowns and looks herself over. The white blouse is dirty and stained, and her skirt is ripped to shreds. “It’s not the right kind of outfit for traveling.”
“Didn’t your relatives give you better clothes?” she asks as she runs her fingers along the girl’s skirt.
Di swallows hard as her innocent brain works to perpetuate the lie. “W-Well, actually no, they said I should buy some along the… I-I mean- Of course they did! But I lost them in a… in a river?” Jem cringes at the horrible attempt.
“I’ll remedy that!” Andrea exclaims, too excited to notice Di’s fabrication. After searching her wardrobe, she withdraws one outfit and says, “I know I have more old clothes in my second wardrobe downstairs. I’ll return shortly!” she calls out as she hurries from the room.
Di anxiously reaches to unbutton her blouse, but Jem stops her. Di’s brow furrows. “Hey, why are you-”
“We’re leaving, naturally.” Jem starts touring the luxurious room, finding all kinds of knick-knacks to stuff in her bag.
Di watches in dismay as the Allerian makes her selections. “J-Jem? You can’t possibly be planning on stealing from Andrea!?”
“Shush! Do you want to get caught? That would make leaving even more awkward.”
“But-”
“Di, do you honestly think our gracious host will even notice these trinkets are missing? She’s checking her second wardrobe for you!” She snags the outfit Di was about to try and says, “Here, I’ll take something for you, too. You’re welcome!”
“But… but…!” Di continues to complain, but she can say nothing more as Jem crams a few last items into her bag.
“This is going to be too easy,” Jem mumbles as she walks out onto the balcony. Like the house itself, the balcony
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