MAKE A SOUP
𝐄𝐃𝐄𝐍 — 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐀 𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐋𝐄, 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐃 𝐅𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐑
Tide stepped into the chamber, the heavy doors closing silently behind him.
The room was a masterpiece of modern medieval elegance, it was a rich, old-world grandeur with the addition of the sleek sophistication of the present. High vaulted ceilings that stretched above, adorned with beautiful carvings, and deep mahogany walls that gleamed under the dim glow of a golden chandelier. Dark velvet drapes covered the tall windows, allowing only slivers of morning sunlight to slip through, casting thin lines of light across the shiny floors.
A grand canopy bed sat against one side of the room, the sheer curtains half-drawn, framing the figure sprawled across the deep crimson sheets. Fourth Master was completely out cold, his tousled black hair spilling over the pillows, one arm hanging off the edge of the bed. His breathing was even, deep. A man completely lost to sleep, oblivious to the world.
Tide barely glanced at him before shifting his attention to Second Master, who was standing in a relaxed slouch behind the velvet couch near the table and TV console. Dressed in nothing but a thick black robe, his damp hair clung to his forehead and toothbrush in his mouth as he lazily switched between channels on the flat-screen TV mounted on the stone wall. He didn't seem particularly interested in anything playing.
Tide stepped forward, bowing his head slightly. "Good morning, Master."
Second Master turned his head slightly, green eyes looking at Tide for a brief second before shifting back to the screen. He tossed the remote onto the table and turned around, stretching slightly before making his way toward the ensuite bathroom, he stepped inside, and almost immediately the overhead bathroom light flickered on, casting a brief glow into the dimly lit room before the door slid shut with a smooth glide.
Tide remained where he was, hands clasped in front of him, waiting in silence.
A minute passed., and another came.
Realizing that Second Master might take his time, he let out a slow breath and turned his attention to the mess left behind from the previous night. Carefully, he picked up the scattered clothes from the floor, folding them neatly before placing them into the laundry basket tucked near the walk in closet. He made sure not to make a sound, silent enough not to disturb the still-sleeping fourth master. He was really sensitive to noises a trait he and first master shared.
So waking him up was the last thing Tide wanted.
Fourth Master valued his sleep more than he valued the lives of those who interrupted it. If it wasn’t a full eight hours, then to him, it simply wasn’t sleep at all, and Tide already had enough problems on his plate with Evangeline. He had no interest in adding another.
Once the clothes were dealt with, he moved to the TV console, adjusting the small collection of books that had been lazily tossed on top. He stacked them in precise piles of three, aligning the edges perfectly. The small flower vase was moved an inch to the right, back to its original position.
Just as he finished, the bathroom door swung open again, light spilling into the chamber for a second before fading as the door clicked shut.
Second Master emerged, his robe slightly looser, and he toweled off his damp hair. He paused mid-step, his gaze falling on Tide, who was still appreciating his work on the tv console.
He frowned, Wondering what the man was doing. "What are you doing?"
Tide immediately straightened up, turning to face him. "I was cleaning up, Master." He dipped his head slightly in respect.
Second Master hummed in response, tossing the towel over one of the chairs before running a hand through his wet hair turning to the bed. "Get something for Rome. He's down bad from last night."
Tide nodded once, already preparing to head down to the kitchen.
"Actually," Second Master muttered, glancing toward Roman's sleeping figure. "Tell the twin lady to do it. I feel like you'd burn my kitchen down."
Tide barely held back a sigh.
He already knew who Second Master meant by the twin lady. It wasn’t Adeline. She rarely ever tended to the masters' needs, not since she spent most of her time running The Grid in Third Master’s absence. No, Second Master was obviously referring to Evangeline, the one who's always in the castle tending to their needs.
And if Tide was being honest… he wasn’t entirely sure if she was even well enough to be making soup right now.
Still, refusing wasn’t an option, and even if he wanted to make it on her behalf, tide himself knew he can't cook to save his life.
"Understood, Master," He said with a bow then turned and left the chamber, the heavy door clicking shut behind him.
He moved down the hallway, stopping in front of the next chamber. He knocked lightly twice before pushing the door open just enough to peek inside.
This was Third Master’s chamber, but it wasn’t uncommon for First Master to sleep here as well. Sometimes, they all ended up in the same room. Other times, in pairs. He had stopped questioning it a long time ago.
The room was completely dark—the heavy curtains fully drawn, blocking out even the smallest slivers of the morning sunlight. The only sound was the slow, even breathing of the two figures still asleep inside.
Not wanting to disturb them, he stepped back and quietly shut the door, his thoughts already shifting to the next thing on his list.
He needed to speak with Third Master about the files, but that would have to wait until he was awake. Waking him up now would be suicidal at best.
Letting out a quiet sigh, he turned away from the chamber and made his way toward the staircase, descending to the second floor. The morning light from the large arched windows cast long, golden streaks along the stone walls as he walked, his footsteps barely making a sound against the polished floor. He opened the door and lingered in the doorway for a second before stepping inside, letting the door close behind him.