The carriage stopped in front of a huge estate near evening. The sun was beginning to sink and Maliki was glad they made it just in time for the night. He felt too uneasy traveling at night.
Maliki and Izzy got off the carriage and was lead to the front of the estate that was beautifully built in a sophisticated manner. The lawn was cut clean and flowers bloomed around the house, giving a warm vibe overall. Their land stretched far and wide and Maliki began to feel self-conscious about meeting Elizabeth again.
She seemed like a dream too good to be true.
“Miss Elizabeth would like to meet you in the sunroom,” a servant came up to them as they reached the entrance of the house.
Maliki nodded as the servant led them through a section of the house which was lavishly ornated with antique clocks and tables, boasting their wealth. The servant led them through the door to the sunroom where Elizabeth sat on a comfortable chair, reading a novel by the oil lamp that was lit up. The sun was almost gone but Elizabeth seemed to take a pleasure in the sunroom nevertheless.
“Welcome Maliki and…” Elizabeth trailed, looking at Izzy apologetically.
“Isabelle, missus,” Izzy bowed traditionally.
“and Isabelle,” Elizabeth curtsied in response.
“It is good to meet you again,” Maliki said. Izzy saw the small blush growing on his cheeks and leaving just as quickly.
“As it is for me as well,” Elizabeth smiled widely. Izzy could tell by Elizabeth’s gestures that she was indeed interested in Maliki. Izzy felt some sort of pride in Maliki who always seemed to be lonely and secluded from his other family members of the society.
“I believe your journey was long and tiring so I shall let Eva bring you to your room and Isabelle as well,” Elizabeth smiled, gesturing the servant who brought us here into the room again. She smiled to Elizabeth before turning around for Maliki and Izzy to follow her.
As Eva led them towards the guest corriders, Izzy noted how well Elizabeth treated Eva, using her first name instead of using the usual term as ‘servant.’ She immediately like Elizabeth and wished the best for Maliki.
“Here are your rooms,” Eva said in a soft voice, leading Maliki towards one door and Izzy through another.
Izzy entered her guest room and gasped as she saw how spacious and beautiful it was. It wasn’t as splendid as the guest rooms back at the castle but for Izzy to use such a room just to herself made her feel overwhelmed.
“Miss Elizabeth will want to see you at dinner with Prince Maliki in an hour, missus,” Eva bowed before exiting quickly. Having nothing better to do, Izzy sat on her new soft bed and waited for the hour to pass, half wondering what Alex was doing back at the castle.
*****************
An hour passed slowly but Izzy was always good with peaceful patience. She sat until Eva knocked again on her door, asking her to join Maliki outside to go to the dining room.
Maliki looked a lot better as she noticed he had time to wash up and get into a new outfit. Izzy had only brought a few clothing and wanted to save it for other days and so chose to stick with what she was wearing now.
Maliki looked nervous but Izzy gave him a friendly push to try and lighten his mood. Their eyes met and she succeeded in making him smile back shyly.
“Miss Elizabeth,” Eva said, grabbing Elizabeth’s attention, “Maliki and Isabelle.”
Maliki and Izzy entered the dining room which held such a splendor that made Izzy look around in wonder. Maliki seemed too busy watching Elizabeth to notice anything else.
“Where are your parents, Elizabeth?” Maliki asked.
“I am afraid they are out for a few weeks but I hope I will be enough company to host you,” Elizabeth said kindly. Maliki nodded and Elizabeth gestured to the seats. “Do not be shy Maliki. You can have a seat,” she winked.
Maliki found himself smiling as he took a seat and felt more comfortable and stronger as he felt Izzy slide in near him. After telling her everything, it was like he had a clean slate and his soul free.
Maliki looked up and caught Elizabeth’s gaze and they both grinned at each other as dinner started and for the first time Maliki felt like everything was in place.