The instant Master Alvin, Lady Rose, and Miss Rivera came around the corner in the corridor, silence fell like a clap of thunder. It rolled through the hall in one heavy wave and smote every servant into immobility where they stood.
The relaxed bustle of a moment before was gone in an instant - brooms stopped in mid-sweep, cloths in mid-polish. The maids snapped to attention where they were standing, spines straightening as if tugged into line by unseen marionettes.
And then, as if stirred by one breath, they all bowed. Backs bent low, heads dropping in perfect synchrony, their voices rose softly in unison, controlled and disciplined, steeped in reverence.
"Greetings, Master Alvin."
"Greetings, Lady Rose."
"Hello, Miss Rivera."
The words echoed down the polished corridor like some sort of ritual chant, the weight of respect woven into every syllable.
