Upon seeing Oriana in the foyer, heading towards the servant quarters, Neil's expression brightened like a brother seeing a younger sibling's return. He jogged in her direction, smiling pleasantly at her.
"Orian! Finally, you are back!"
She laughed at her fellow attendant's silly behavior. "You sound as if I have been gone for five years. You do know I was just in the mansion next to us, right?"
"Though you were just nearby, I never got to see you or your shadow. I must say I missed you here. Not just me but even Damien and…"
His gaze landed on Rafal, who was climbing down the stairs from the first floor. "Even Sir Rafal missed you as well."
"What are you talking about?" Rafal glared at them.
"S-Sir Rafal, you kept asking about Orian…"
"Why would I pay attention to the absence of this village boy?" Rafal interrupted him.
"Apologies, Sir Rafal," Neil hurriedly said, but his expression was not even one bit apologetic.