The murmur of voices had died down after the previous statement. The atmosphere in the main hall had become quieter, though no less dense. The echo of soft footsteps broke the stillness as the figure of the young woman with long silver-golden hair slowly stepped forward across the red carpet that stretched from the entrance. Her gait was as graceful and leisurely as if each step had been rehearsed many times in front of a mirror. She did not seem at all intimidated by the number of eyes on her.
One by one, with a placid smile on her face, she introduced herself to the assembled family members. She bowed slightly to each one, greeted with soft, brief words, and went on her way. He did so with a gentleness that seemed inherited from another age. Though young, her bearing was impeccable, like that of a noble maiden accustomed to playing a role of dignity.
Some adults, puzzled, responded with simple politeness. Others seemed uncomfortable, as if they did not quite know how to interact with a young girl who radiated such a strange mixture of refined innocence and penetrating curiosity. There was a slight contradiction in her demeanour, as if her every gesture, though subtly charming, concealed a precision greater than anyone would expect from someone her age.
Finally, after walking halfway across the great hall, the girl stopped in front of him.
With a slight nod, she surveyed him with a warm smile.
-Hello,' she said matter-of-factly. You're, um... new to all this, aren't you?
Riku, without changing the calm expression on his face, nodded softly.
-I guess I am,' he replied in a low voice, not adding any honourifics, but without being rude. It was simply his usual way of speaking: polite, but detached.
The girl's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
-I knew it! I wondered if you would be quiet or reserved? But you don't seem shy. Are you one of those who prefer to observe in silence? -he asked, cocking his head to one side as if analysing him.
Riku was briefly silent before answering.
-Observing usually says more than speaking without knowing what to say.
The young woman let out a small laugh, soft as a springtime murmur.
-That sounds very philosophical. Do you read a lot?
-Sometimes,' he replied, not looking away.
The conversation went on, light but enveloping. She threw out one question after another, not in a heavy, insistent way, but with a kind of charming playfulness, like someone exploring a mystery that fascinates him. There was no doubt that she was genuinely interested in him. However, beneath that straightforward gentleness, Riku couldn't ignore a certain nuance?
It was hard to define. Her sea-blue eyes, so bright and full of life, looked at him as if they already knew who he was before he could say it. There was something calculating, yet hidden behind a veil of well-crafted naivety. She looked like a child... but she was not. Neither in figure, nor in demeanour. Her body language, her gestures, everything about her spoke of someone with far more self-awareness than she appeared.
And yet this contradiction was not disturbing. It was fascinating, like watching a figure transform depending on the angle from which you look at it. Riku had no idea why, but he felt he knew her. Not from before, but in some more subtle way, as if her presence evoked an echo from the past. A familiar feeling, hard to explain.
-Ah, but I'm talking too much,' she said suddenly, pouting a little theatrically. Will you let me ask you one last question?
-It depends,' Riku replied, crossing his arms calmly.
She smiled, not showing all her teeth, as if she knew the answer even before she asked the question. But just then, the firm footsteps of a familiar figure interrupted the scene.
It was the old maid, whose presence commanded order without the need to raise her voice. She stopped a few paces away from them and spoke with the same grave courtesy as before.
-Miss, it is time to retire for the day. Other business will be taken up tomorrow morning.
The young woman nodded without objection. Before leaving, she gave Riku one last smile.
-We will meet again,' she said, as if it were a promise rather than an assumption.
And with that, she turned on her heel and walked away with the maid.
The old woman, turning back to those present, raised her voice loud enough for all to hear.
-Dear guests, the maids who have just arrived will take you to your respective rooms. You may order whatever you wish for dinner tonight. Unfortunately, due to a minor setback, the preparations are not yet complete. The official banquet in honour of your arrival will take place tomorrow. Have a good evening.
With a final bow, the old maid withdrew. The other maids began to approach professionally and calmly, leading the various groups of guests out of the great hall, each to their own room in the vast mansion.
And with that, the first day was slowly coming to an end, though its echo would continue to vibrate beneath the walls of that ancestral abode for much, much longer.