The driver took my worn luggage out of the trunk. I reached out to grab it from him, but Mrs. Darcy shook her head.
"He'll take it to your room. Let's go."
I followed Mrs. Darcy up the wide white stairs, Momo in my arms. At the top, six women in black-and-white outfits that looked almost like uniforms were lined up in front of a huge door, three on each side.
I wondered if they were maids.
Suddenly, Momo clucked, flapped her wings, and flew out of my hands, landing squarely on my head, before I could stop her.
A couple of the women flinched; the others pretended nothing happened, heads lowered, as if rehearsed to perfection.
"Sorry," I muttered, cheeks burning. "She likes sitting on my head when she's nervous."
Mrs. Darcy merely shook her head, her expression unreadable, probably regretting bringing me here already.
She walked toward the uniformed women, and I followed. As we passed, they all bowed and said in a synchronized voice:
"Welcome back, Lady Darcy."
They paused, then added in unison,
"And Mrs. von Richter."
I froze. Mrs. von Richter…? Were they talking about me?
I turned to one of them.
"Please… just call me Kumiko－" I stammered.
The maid looked at me with a flicker of confusion, like I'd said something scandalous, but then quickly lowered her gaze and cowered, almost in fear, when Mrs. Darcy came closer.
Standing behind me, Mrs. Darcy said calmly,
"You're now part of this family, Kumiko von Richter."
My new name sounded foreign coming out of her mouth. She twisted her lips slightly, as if she'd said something she didn't want to, then returned her face to normal.
I followed her through the big doors, my head spinning. Kumiko von Richter. I almost couldn't believe it. I felt like royalty.
Inside, a lady dressed perfectly in a suit, her hair tied in a neat bun, glasses perched on the bridge of her nose, hands clasped in front of her, bowed slightly at Mrs. Darcy.
Her voice was monotone, "Welcome home, Boss."
Mrs. Darcy waved her hand dismissively.
"You know I hate it when you call me that."
The lady didn't reply. Instead, her gaze slid to me. Dark brown, sharp, assessing. My hands shook for a second, but I steadied them and looked straight back at her. There was nothing to be afraid of, I was a von Richter now.
Her lips quirked upward slightly, almost like she was trying to smile but forgot how to.
"Welcome, Mrs. von Richter. I'm… Helena, Mrs. Darcy's PA."
I smiled nervously and scratched the back of my head.
"Oh," I said, pretending I knew what PA meant.
"Personal Assistant. That's what it means," she clarified. My eyes widened. Could she read my thoughts?!
She glanced at Momo, perched on my head, and Momo tilted her head. Cluck.
"Oh, this is Momo," I said. She nodded.
Mrs. Darcy sighed.
"Come along. Let's go."
I looked around. The space was enormous and beautiful. Potted plants that looked too green to be real lined the walls. But the room itself was mostly empty; no doors, no furniture, nothing.
I looked at Mrs. Darcy.
"Ummm… where exactly are we going?"
She chuckled.
"Oh, this is gonna be fun."
She walked toward a wall and tapped something. Behind it, I heard a click sound. Suddenly, the wall, no, the door opened.
I jumped back in shock. Momo flapped her wings and clucked loudly, feathers flying everywhere in protest, as if annoyed by my sudden movement.
Mrs. Darcy stepped inside with Helena.
"You better hurry up, because this door is gonna close very soon."
Sure enough, the wall-door started closing. I rushed inside without a second to think. The ground shook beneath me, and I felt like I was being launched into the sky.
I clutched the wall in fear. My heartbeat bounced like it wanted to escape my body and run back to Japan.
The door finally opened. I scrambled out, knees weak.
"Finally! I thought I was gonna fall!"
Mrs. Darcy waved a hand.
"It's called an elevator, dear. It elevates. You weren't going to fall, unless the system suddenly fails."
We entered a massive room. In the center, a giant couch dominated the space. I sat, and held Momo in my arms. The ceiling sparkled with a cluster of golden lights suspended like stars. I had no word for what it was; was it a light? A sculpture? Some magical object?, but it made the whole room feel like a palace.
Mrs. Darcy glanced towards Helena.
"Where's he?"
"He should be on his way. I already informed him of your arrival," Helena replied, perfectly calm.
Mrs. Darcy nodded.
"Leave us."
For a second, I panicked. Wait… was she talking to me?
But then Helena nodded and quickly walked out through another door.
Then I heard it, the sound of wheels rolling across the floor.
Another door－ another wall-elevator I hadn't noticed before, with golden intricate designs, buzzed.
Mrs. Darcy spoke calmly. "He's here."