Chapter 231 - Hearty meals
When Scarlett returned to Freybrook, the courtyard was shrouded in darkness, illuminated only by the faint glow from the windows overlooking it. The air here was starkly colder than on the Resting Eye, and the abrupt shift in temperature was somewhat jarring.
Using her pyrokinesis to warm herself up, Scarlett allowed herself a brief moment to observe her surroundings before tapping into her bond with the [Obedience’s Solitude Loci] to survey the estate in full. Through a cursory check, she could confirm that all appeared as she had left it, but to her surprise, Dean Godwin was still here.
She had assumed he would have left by now, but his presence might be a fortunate turn of events. This meant she could immediately inquire about how matters went with Rosa. There was also another detail she’d wanted to double-check with him that had come to mind during her visit to the Zuverian outpost.
At the moment, he and the others were convened in the dining hall, including Evelyne, who appeared to have returned while Scarlett was away.
Crossing the courtyard, Scarlett stepped into the mansion’s foyer and was met by a servant cleaning the windowsills. The girl stopped in her work, bowing low in a respectful curtsy. “Welcome back, my Lady. I hope you have had a pleasant trip outside.”
Scarlett acknowledged the greeting with a nod. “I have.”
This girl was a newer hire, if she recalled correctly, and thus didn’t share the typical nervousness around Scarlett that was more prevalent among some of the longer-tenured staff. While things had generally improved on that front, there was still the occasional moment where she managed to unintentionally startle a servant or two moving around the mansion.
“Are Evelyne and the others in the dining hall?” she asked, even though she already knew the answer.
“Yes, my Lady,” the servant responded. “I think they’re currently dining with the Dean of Elystead Tower?”
“I see. Then I will have to see if they have made accommodations for me as well.”
“I’m sure Master Garside has anticipated your return, my Lady.”
“Knowing him, he likely has.”