It did not take long at all for the attending maid, a nice lady named Yiva, to get Alanna a uniform. Apparently she had been assigned to the maids, as being Lady Liriel's assistant didn't really fit well into the other categories.
Her hair had been done up in a bun, which she didn't like, as she felt it made her take after Headmistress Sonya, but she didn't voice her objections. She had been given a long black dress with a white apron, not quite reaching her ankles so there was no risk of it dragging along the floor. Her shoes were comfortable and durable flats made of tough leather. She wore short white gloves to avoid contaminating any surface she cleaned with skin grease.
In short, she looked like a perfectly professional maid. Yiva had already excused herself, satisfied with her work, but Alanna couldn't help but admire herself in her bedroom's mirror. Knowing she had a respectable job working for the Duke's family made her want to cry with joy, but she kept herself together.
Alistar reappeared in her doorway. She gladly greeted him, holding her dress out to the side with both hands and doing her best attempt at a curtsy. "Does it look good, sir?"
"Yes, quite," Alistar responded nonchalantly. He led her out of the servant's dorms and into the manor. It was much quieter here. Occasionally a servant would pass, but it was clear it was not their space. It was the space of the Singor family, and they clearly did not hesitate to showcase their wealth. They passed through a dining hall where porcelain plates and true silverware were being laid out in preparation for dinner. An ancient clock ticked away in the main hall, its intricate woodwork and exposed brass gears giving the impression that a clock maker had spent their entire lives producing that one piece. Every carpet and tapestry was embroidered with imagery, some clearly showing elves in what Alanna presumed to be the history of the Singor family, or perhaps the city's history, while others showcased images of distant lands or monsters being slain.
"Allow me to explain your duties," Alistar began, continuing to guide her to their destination as he spoke. "You are to clean Lady Liriel's room and study, collect and do her laundry, and bring her meals thrice per day. As well as..." He paused, stopping in his tracks. Alanna's sensitive hearing again picked up on a change in his breathing. She was sure she detected aggravation, as before, but unlike with anyone else she's ever met, she could not see any change in his body or expression. His shoulders and back were straight, hands non-threateningly behind his back, and his face was set in a determined yet relaxed expression. When the moment passed his breathing returned to normal, and he continued.
"You are to do whatever she asks of you. That is your duty as her assistant. Understood?"
Alanna disregarded her train of thought and nodded quickly. "Yes sir."
"And whatever she asks of you will be considered the business of the Singor family and no one else. Do I make myself clear?"
She nodded again. There was a nagging suspicion growing in the back of her mind, however. What could I be possibly asked to do that would go so far as to be a secret? She wondered.
"Good," Alistar stated curtly. The two of them soon arrived on the upper floor. Alistar knocked on one of the doors, and from within came the sing-song voice of Lady Liriel.
"Come iiin!"
Alistar opened the door to reveal the bedroom of a princess. A massive canopy bed dominated the room, the canopy itself artistically rendered in the shape of fluffy white clouds while the frame of the bed was carved in the shape of vines and tree branches, giving the impression of sleeping in the forest under the sky. Lady Liriel lay on the bed, apparently having been reading a book while waiting. She had changed clothes, now wearing a less flashy but much more comfortable-looking green-and-white dress clearly meant to be worn indoors, and was still wearing the socks from her previous outfit.
"You two are late!" she said as she jumped off the bed and hurried towards them.
"I told you we'd be here in thirty minutes, which was almost 29 minutes ago. If anything, we are early," Alistar replied bluntly, having apparently taken at least some degree of offense to being called 'late'.
"Well, I got bored. That means you weren't fast enough," Lady Liriel said. "Now move and let me see the new girl!"
Alistar stepped aside, Lady Liriel smiling widely in excitement, only for the smile to suddenly drop when she saw Alanna, whose heart froze.
"Alistar?" Lady Liriel asked with no small amount of disappointment in her voice.
"Yes, Lady Liriel?" Alistar responded. If he knew what the problem was, he gave no impression that he did.
"Where is her actual uniform? The one I told you to make her wear?" Liriel asked, her voice raising in volume, now genuinely upset.
Alistar closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again. "Miss Liriel..."
"Alistar, so help me by Sylvarra-"
"I must again urge you-"
"If I tell you to do something it's because I want you to do it!"
"Not to go through with this-"
"You don't work here to act on your urges!" Liriel yelled at Alistar, who accepted his admonishment like a rock in a storm. "Get her in the uniform that I bought for her or I'm going straight to daddy and tell him you're refusing to do your job! Again!"
Again, Alanna heard that faint sigh coming from Alistar.
"Right away, Lady Liriel."
