--

A gentle knock echoed at the door, soft yet insistent. "Yes, come in," Aera said, her voice calm, though her chest felt tight. The door opened, and the maid stepped inside. She was in her mid-thirties, her posture perfect, exuding a quiet authority born of years of managing a household like this. Her hair was tied into a neat bun, and a few delicate strands of gray softened her otherwise stern features. The faint scent of lavender followed her as she moved.