The flower which never wilts

How everything changed

The next day, I was called into grandpa's room. I was told that I had to seriously learn how to be a Lady as I was already 16 and the proper age to make my debut in the high society of the nobles. When I left grandpa's room, I found Shun standing at the table, waiting for me to begin breakfast. I sat down but he did not. I curiously watched him (still feeling a little shy thinking about yesterday's incident) but he was acting indifferent and composed.
"Why aren't you sitting down? Shun.." I queried but he only smiled a calm and almost forced smile. As I saw Mr Blood coming towards us, I asked him why Shun was being so formal.
"My grandson can no longer stay as a guest Milady Scarlett," replied Mr Blood and he went on about how things were to change, "Shun is 18 years old and it is time that he fulfills the duty for which he had come. He is to take my place in the future as the butler of the Silvereye family and he has to learn various things yet. He will maintain a formal relationship with Milady from now on and will take his duties into consideration."
I was scandalized! How could they decide about things like that! To be aware of the relationship a butler and his mistress share I read and researched and found that a butler and his  mistress never have physical contact, in case the butler must touch the Lady he is to touch her with gloves on his hand and I made many awful revelations like that.. This was too much of a burden to bear now that i had finally realized that I LOVE SHUN...


Rann came as usual. He joined Scarlett for breakfast that day and was shocked as he learned about the changes that led to Shun being different and distant. Nothing much changed though, Scarlett and Shun still pulled his legs and teased him a lot although he no longer looked like a little girl. He was a grown up, same age as Scarlett and had grown into a handsome young man. The three continued to laugh and talk as before but Rann noticed the eyes of Scarlett always and constantly resting on Shun. Scarlett was present and participated in the conversation but her eyes always followed Shun's movements and her smile and laughter were not the same anymore.