Sofia was a maid at Castle Garcia, her late mother had been the Marquess nanny. Despite knowing the Marquess since he was only the young Lord Rodrigo, this was the first time since he inherited his title that he was addressing her. They were currently at the Marquess office and, for some reason, Sir Bruno had also been called. Sofia was quite anxious, for not only was she facing the Lord of the March, but, the tall and handsome Bruno was standing right beside her.

When Marquess Rodrigo finished reading some papers he finally looked from his desk and said, “I have a guest, you will be serving as her personal maid and guard.” He was speaking of the woman he himself carried in! Sofia had heard of it, she was curious about this guest who managed to allure the Marquess, who despite his poor looks, showed little interest in romance. Sofia wondered why she had been chosen to care for the guest. Was the Marquess, perhaps, aware most of the maids thought negatively of his guest? Those ones were mostly working under the Madam`s lady-in-waiting. As curious as Sofia was about the mysterious guest, she was reluctant to catch the disfavor of Lady Alves. It was well known that the Madam had been pushing for the Lady`s engagement with her son. 

“Follow me.” said the Marquess. It was odd he was leading them to the guest himself. When they reached the room, outside the door, Marquess Rodrigo adjusted his posture and cleared his throat. He looked back at Sofia and Sir Bruno. His gaze stopped at the Knight. He looked up, his eyes meeting Sir Bruno`s face, “She will not fall for him will she?” Marquess Rodrigo mumbled to himself before knocking at the door.

“Enter.” came a voice from the other side. The Marquess seemed to stop and savor the sound, before making his entrance.

“Ha! Hello.” said the Guest. She was sitting on the bed. The beautiful woman wore a lace nightgown and her green eyes captured Sofia`s attention.

“Hi, Isadora. I hope you are feeling well.” said the Marquess, “I bring with me this woman to serve as your personal maid and Sir Bruno here will be your personal guard.”

“Oh, thank you!” The Guest, whose name was Isadora, smiled at the Marquess and Sofia could feel her own cheeks warming up. The guest, then, turned her attention to the two people Marquess Rodrigo had brought her. For a moment, her eyes went wide, but she quickly recomposed herself and turned back to the Marquess, “You are very kind and attentive, Rodrigo.” She complimented the Marquess, Sofia could feel the sweetness of her tone when she called the Marquess by name and the redness of his face was apparent to all.

“Y-yes. Ahem, unfortunately I will have to go, I`m quite busy at the moment.” He seemed to want to hurriedly make his escape and hide his flusteredness, “But, I hope you will join me for dinner tonight.”

“I would love to!” responded Lady Isadora.

“V-very well. I will see you then.” Marquess Rodrigo turned and quickly left the room. On his way out he grabbed Sir Bruno by the arm and took him outside with him, “keep guard outside, unless she calls for you.” he directed the knight.

Sofia was now alone in the room with the beautiful Isadora. The restless in her heart that had been brought by standing beside Sir Bruno, was now kept by Isadora`s unwavering green eyes staring at her. “G-greetings my Lady!” The maid Sofia took a deep bow, “My name is Sofia and I will be serving as your personal maid.” Sofia kept her bow, waiting for Lady Isadora`s words, but all she heard was the lady`s steps approaching her. There was, then, the sensation of a soft delicate hand holding her face. The hand lifted Sofia`s head, now her eyes were meeting Isadora`s.

“M-my Lady?” trembled Sofia. She could hear her own heart, beating faster than ever, and her face warming up.

“I can see the resemblance…” mumbled Isadora.

“P-pardon?” At the maid`s question, Lady Isadora let go of her face.

“It`s nothing, I just thought you were quite pretty.” commented the guest.

“Oh, t-thank you my Lady.” Sofia didn`t know where to look.

“The Marquess invited me for dinner, so after a bath help me get ready.” instructed Lady Isadora, her tone hinted at her familiarity with giving out orders.

*

After her bath, Lady Isadora changed into a maid dress but, not wearing an apron and her own posture and graceful movements made it obvious she was not one. 

“I apologize, my Lady. Proper dresses are yet to be prepared.” apologized Sofia.

“Oh, there is nothing to worry about, I understand.” reassured Lady Isadora. “Let`s go then.”

Sofia followed her lady out of the room. Outside, they were joined by Sir Bruno, who kept guard. While the Lady addressed him to follow, Sofia stole a glance of the handsome knight, but she was less furtive than she thought for the Lady glanced back at her. As Sofia panicked flustered, Lady Isadora covered her mouth and let out a soft chuckle, “you two look cute together.” She commented, most likely a joke, for there was no way the handsome Sir Bruno, coveted by all the maids, would be interested in her, Sofia.

As Sofia was feeling crestfallen, Sir Bruno was the one to speak, “M-my lady, the Marquess is waiting.”

“Let's be on our way then.” Lady Isadora turned and started in the direction of the dining room. 

“C-come Sofia.” said Sir Bruno following the Lady.

“Yes.” Sofia looked back up and followed as well. She noticed that, for whatever reason, Sir Bruno`s ears were especially red at the moment.

When Lady Isadora entered the dining room, the Marquess stood from his seat as if someone of higher station than him was making their entrance. As much as he was taken by the lady, Sofia found his behavior quite strange, but considering what she had witnessed of the lady, Sofia would not find it surprising if it was revealed that Lady Isadora was secretly of noble lineage. 

“Hello, Rodrigo.” greeted Lady Isadora.

“Hi, I hope you will enjoy the dinner. I instructed the chef to pay special attention to it.” said Marquess Rodrigo who almost bowed to his guest. The Marquess, then, led Lady Isadora to her seat and sat on his. He was at the head of the table and she was at his left. Sofia and Sir Bruno stood behind the Lady, backing the wall.

“Ahem, I have called for the tailor. She will be here tomorrow to take your measurements and prepare your dresses.” said Marquess Rodrigo.

“Thank you, Rodrigo. I’m very grateful for your hospitality.” said Lady Isadora.

“Oh, it is my honor. I’m so grateful you decided to bless me with your presence and accepted my invitation.” said the Marquess. Sofia was shocked. She knew he was interested in the Lady, but she never could have guessed how fallen for her he was.

The door to the dining room was opened and making her entrance was Madame Dolores Garcia with Lady Alves following close behind.

“M-mother!” the Marquess stood from his seat, surprised, “what brings you here?”

“Oh, I can't see my son, now?” she turned her gaze to Lady Isadora, “I heard you have a guest. I was simply curious.”

“Yes, but now we are in the middle of-” started the Marquess.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me?” asked the madam.

“Ahem. Mother, this is Isadora, my guest. Isadora, this is my Mother, Marchioness dowager Dolores Garcia.” Marquess Rodrigo, defeated, made introductions.

 Lady Isadora wiped her lips with a napkin. Still seated, with her sharp green eyes she looked up at Madam Garcia and greeted, “Hello Madam.” Sofia`s jaw dropped.

Madam Garcia gritted her teeth, “Hello, my son failed to mention your family name. What would it be?” she asked.

“M-mother-” Marquess Rodrigo tried to interject.

Lady Isadora studied her own nails, "Currently I lack one,” she looked to the Marquess and then to his mother, “but that could very well change in the near future.” Lady Isadora smiled. The Marquess face went red and Madam Garcia seemed about to explode.

“Ha! The audacity!” This comment came from Lady Flavia Alves, who could no longer restrain herself.

“And who would you be?” asked Lady Isadora.

“This is my lady-in-waiting, Lady Flavia, a daughter of house Alves. She is a respected lady of high society. What I mean to say is, she is of proper birth from a well established noble lineage.” explained the Madam. Lady Flavia held her head high, victorious.

“Is that so?” commented Lady Isadora as if it hardly mattered.

“Ahem. Well, now that everyone is acquainted, I would very much like to resume my dinner with my guest.”  Interjected Marquess Rodrigo.

“Oh, it is far from my intention to interrupt your leisure time with your guest, but now that I’m already here, I might as well join you.” The Madam took a seat at the table, leaving an empty seat between hers and the Marquess seat. “You will not refuse your own mother, will you?”

“Ah, very well, mother...” Marquess Rodrigo shot an apologetic look at Lady Isadora as he returned to his seat.

“Come, Flavia, join us.” At the Madam`s cue, Lady Flavia sat between her and the Marquess.

During the dinner, Madam Garcia and her lady-in-waiting talked about the current trends of high society. Sofia could tell they were also paying close attention to Lady Isadora`s demeanor and  table manners, fishing for any mistakes to chastise the guest over. Much to their disappointment, Lady Isadora exuded an air of nobility and class that reached levels of regality. Sofia wondered what kind of education and life the mysterious woman had led. She fantasized if the dazzling Isadora wasn't actually a lost Princess from a far away land.