Howard led the three boys back to the training grounds where the assessment had taken place.

'I awakened my powers here…' He recalled and a subtle smile graced his face as he walked ahead.

Moving towards the equipment shed, the four young boys were greeted by the caretaker who opened the doors for them.

The boys then were given a tour of all of the equipment and practice material that the Earl had bought for his son and some even for his daughter.

"I got this on my seventh birthday." He pointed at the wooden sword which appeared worn out already.

The boys then explored the place with the caretaker and other servants watching over them to ensure their safety.

Though the boys were smart and strong enough to protect themselves, the servants could not disobey the orders given by the Butler who was working under the orders of the Master.

Howard, Damien, and Topher were having fun with the weapons and tools they found here but Taylor followed them with a sullen expression always present on his face.

'Who wants to see these old and ugly things?' He grumbled as he stomped his feet in protest for being dragged into this.

Topher glanced at his brother who appeared to be disgruntled with what they were doing but did not try to comfort him.

"Ignore him and let him wallow in his own sadness for a while." He whispered to the boys with him.

He knew that his little brother would rather spend time in the garden gazing at the pretty flowers than stay with them as they admire the craftsmanship of the smiths who made the weapons.

Howard was more than willing to ignore his friend who was being a spoilsport as always when it was about matters that had anything to do with training.

Damien was here because he did not wish to be left alone so he did not have an issue with whatever they decided to do.

'Well, this is better than being stuck at home so I might as well stay longer with them.' He decided and walked with his friend and the two younger boys.

Howard was an excellent host as he made sure to keep his guests entertained all while ignoring the sour puss who kept grumbling at being separated from the cute little girl.

The servants and caretaker of the training grounds also followed the young master and his friends to keep them safe and also to serve them if the need arises.

__

Under the canopy where the banquet had taken place earlier, the servants were busy cleaning the place.

The table and its chairs were no longer visible there as they had been moved back inside the mansion once the guests had moved away.

The place went back to looking like the tranquil garden it was in no time as the servants rushing around soon went back to their own stations.

___

"The cake has been baked?" Raylene questioned the chef as she stood in the kitchen.

The kitchen staff and the chef bowed when they saw the Madam entering the room.

"Yes, Madam. It will be ready to be served with evening tea." The chef assured that there would be no impediments to the success of the evening tea.

Raylene glanced around and was pleased with the preparations being made for the tea time which would arrive in a few hours.

The guests would stay until evening tea before they would return to their homes so she wished to make this a memorable experience for the guests.

The tea and snacks were all prepared while keeping her childrens' preferences in mind and making sure that the guests would also be satisfied with her efforts.

"I will be back before tea time to check on the preparations." She announced and left after nodding at the chef.

Raylene walked ahead and her maid, Paula followed her while maintaining a respectable distance away from her Mistress.

The maid's eyes brightened when she noticed the path in which her Mistress was leading her.

A few corridors away was the place where the Master was said to be seated with the other men and the young miss.

The Butler had sent maids to fetch chilled water for the guests and thus she was well aware of their current whereabouts.

So how could she contain her excitement when she knew that she would get to see the man and might have a chance to serve him?

However, the greedy maid's brightened eyes faded when she saw her Madam take a different turn, one which headed for the stairs.

'That's not the way to the Parlor!' She glared at the back of the woman who kept trudging forward.

Having left with no choice but to wordlessly follow her Mistress, Paula gritted her teeth as she pushed down the grievances rising in her heart.

Initially, Raylene had intended to pay her husband a visit in the Parlor but she changed her mind midway.

The cause of this change was the urge in her heart to not move to her husband at this moment.

She did not know where this feeling was arising in her heart but all she knew was that her feet would not move in the direction of the Parlor.

'Well, might as well get some rest before the evening tea.' She decided as she turned towards the staircase that would lead her to the floor where her bedroom was.

Raylene was unaware that she was beginning to pay attention to her inner consciousness which was cautioning her to keep the maid away from her husband.

Though she hadn't yet grasped the reason for changing her paths, she was at the very least listening to what her subconscious mind was trying to speak to her.

"What are you waiting for?" Raylene questioned the maid after snapping out of her thoughts.

She had already begun climbing the stairs when she realized that there was no sound of the footsteps following her.

Glancing over her shoulders, she found her maid staring in the direction in which they were initially supposed to move.

'A maid should pay attention to her mistress and not something else!' She shook her head at the maid and then had called out to her.

Paula whiplashed towards her Mistress and lowered her head as she ran ahead to catch up with her.

Without giving her another glance, Raylene turned around and began striding up the stairs which would lead her to her room.

There was still a few hours before she would have to get back to check on the kitchen staff and Raylene decided to take a nap during this time.

"Wake me up an hour before tea time." She ordered when they reached her bedroom.

Paula nodded in acceptance of the order and then waited for her Mistress to enter the room.

'Missed another chance!' She gritted her teeth as her work here was done.

Neither had she gotten a chance to meet the man in her eyes nor would she get another until tea time.

This was because while the Mistress was asleep, she would not have to stand outside the door.

Her Mistress's gracious orders allowed her to rest while her Mistress slept.

The orders which she once gloated about, now looked like a thorn in her eyes as this meant that she would not be able to meet the Earl when he returned from the Parlor.

Thus, gritting her teeth this maid returned to the servant quarters with a gloomy air surrounding her.