Murry looked at her tired face. He noticed how she let out a long sigh. Slowly, the very serious, strict expression on his face softened. The corners of his mouth lifted. Murry smiled a very warm, genuine smile. It was a kind smile, like a grandfather looking at his granddaughter. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"My Lady," Murry continued, speaking softly so his voice would not echo in the large hallway. "The old Duke also sent another very important message."

Camilla turned her head to look at him. She raised a delicate eyebrow. "What message?" she asked.

Murry placed his hands neatly behind his back again. He stood up very straight.

"The old Duke instructed that from now on, you will be completely in charge of everything here in this mansion," Murry announced clearly.

Camilla blinked. She was surprised. "Me?"

"Yes, My Lady," Murry nodded his grey head. "You are the Lady of the house. You can do whatever you want, whenever you want to do it. You can change the decorations. You can change the menus. You have total authority."

Murry took a small step closer. His eyes turned serious, but his tone was very supportive.

"If someone makes things difficult for you," Murry promised firmly, "you can just tell me. I will kick the person out of the mansion immediately. I will not tolerate any disrespect toward you from the staff."

Camilla stared at the older man. She felt a sudden, warm feeling in her chest. For a whole year, the original Camilla had been treated like a dirt in this house. Mrs. Ida had controlled everything. Now Damon grandfather has known about everything and was offering her absolute power and protection.

A small, mischievous idea popped into Camilla’s head. She wanted to test how far his protection really went.

Camilla tilted her head to the side. She looked at Murry with a very innocent, serious expression.

"What if it’s Damon?" Camilla asked smoothly. "If he makes things difficult for me, will you kick him out too?"

Mr. Murry instantly froze. His warm smile vanished completely.

His eyes went wide. He opened his mouth to speak, but absolutely no words came out. He looked up at the ceiling, then down at the floor, completely unsure of how to answer that dangerous question. He could not kick the General out of his own house!

The absolute silence in the hallway was incredibly heavy.

Camilla watched the poor older man struggle. She could not hold it in anymore. She let out a soft, bright chuckle. She covered her mouth with her hand, laughing at his terrified expression.

"Oh, Uncle Murry," Camilla said, dropping her hand and smiling warmly at him. "Please relax. I was just joking with you."

Murry let out a huge breath of air. His shoulders slumped in total relief. He reached up and wiped an invisible drop of sweat from his forehead.

Slowly, a small smile returned to Murry’s face. He let out a deep, polite chuckle that perfectly matched hers.

"You have a very sharp sense of humor, My Lady," Murry said, shaking his head gently.

The tense atmosphere completely disappeared. Murry gestured with his hand toward the wide hallway that led to the back of the house.

"Please, follow me," Murry said kindly.

As they began to walk side by side down the hallway, Murry decided to speak more openly about his master. He wanted to help the young couple just as the Old Duke had told him to do.

"The General is just stubborn," Murry spoke softly, his eyes looking straight ahead. "He acts very cold on the outside, but he truly has a good heart, My Lady."

Camilla rolled her eyes slightly, making sure Murry did not see. "A good heart?" she thought to herself. "He chopped off his nanny’s head without blinking."

"For example, today," Murry continued, his voice full of gentle meaning. "When he came back from the military camp this afternoon and did not see you in your room, he was very upset. He searched for you round the entire house. He checked the gardens. He checked the library."

Camilla’s footsteps slowed down just a tiny bit. She looked at Murry in surprise.

"He did?" Camilla asked.

"Yes," Murry nodded. "He was so worried. When he could not find you anywhere, he called the old butler."

Camilla’s heart skipped a beat. "Oh no," she thought. "Did the butler tell him everything?"

Murry continued the story. "The butler told him what happened. He told the General that you took a horse and rode out of the gates alone."

Camilla let out a quiet breath of relief. The butler had kept his promise. He had not mentioned the male clothing or the ransom letter. He just said she left.

"When the General heard you were gone," Murry said, smiling slightly, "he did not get angry. He just waited. And as the sun began to set, he went down to the kitchen himself. He told the head cook to halt making dinner."

Camilla frowned in confusion. "Why would he stop dinner?"

"So that the food would not get cold when you finally came back," Murry explained softly. He looked at Camilla to see her reaction. "He wanted you to have a hot meal after your long ride. He cares for you, My Lady. He just does not know how to show it properly."

Camilla was completely stunned.

She walked in silence. She thought about her brief encounter with Damon in the hallway just a few minutes ago. He had been so grumpy. He had ordered her to treat her injury and walked away. She thought he hated her. But behind her back, he had been pacing the house, worrying about her safety, and making sure the kitchen kept her food warm.

"He is so weird," Camilla thought to herself.

Her mind was full of mixed feelings. She did not want to feel touched by his actions. She just wanted to get her gold and leave. But knowing he saved her warm food made her feel a strange, tiny flutter in her chest.

They reached the large, double wooden doors of the formal dining room. Murry reached out and pushed the heavy doors open.

The dining room was massive. The walls were covered in dark wood and expensive tapestries. A huge crystal chandelier hung from the high ceiling, lighting the room with dozens of bright, warm candles. In the center of the room was a very long table. It was large enough to seat twenty people.

But tonight, only one chair was pulled out at the very end of the long table.

Murry guided her to the chair. "Please, sit," he said, pulling the chair back for her.

Camilla sat down. The chair was very large, and she felt very small sitting alone at the end of the massive table. It felt incredibly awkward. The room was too quiet.

Immediately, two young maids hurried into the room from the kitchen doors. They were carrying large silver trays. They moved quickly and carefully.

They placed several heavy silver bowls and plates directly in front of Camilla. Murry stepped forward and removed the silver covers.

Thick, delicious steam rose into the air.

There was a whole roasted chicken, perfectly browned and smelling of rosemary and garlic. There was a large bowl of hot, creamy mashed potatoes melting with fresh butter. There were roasted green vegetables and a basket of warm, soft bread rolls.

It was a feast fit for a king, and it was all perfectly, perfectly hot.

The maids bowed quickly and left the room. Murry stayed behind. He picked up a crystal jug and poured a glass of cool, clear water for her.

"Please eat, My Lady," Murry encouraged her kindly.

"Don’t mind if i do." Camilla said.