As Maria headed to the kitchen to fetch water for Cecil, she couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. She had seen Cecil's tantrums and outbursts before, but this was different. The desperation and emotion in his eyes had been genuine, and she was convinced that it wasn't just a nightmare that had triggered it. Maria's mind began to whirl with possibilities. What could have caused Cecil to break down like that? Was he really okay? She thought about all the times she had seen Cecil's cold exterior, but she had always suspected that there was more to him than met the eye.
As she poured the water into a glass, Maria's curiosity got the better of her. She was puzzled by Cecil's behavior and wanted to find out what was behind it. She couldn't help but wonder if something was troubling him, something that he wasn't showing to the world.
As she walked back to Cecil's room, Maria's thoughts turned to the Duke. She knew that she would have to tell him about this incident. The Duke, Cecil's father, was a terrifying man. Maria had always been loyal to the Duke and had to tell him everything that Cecil did, good or bad. She had been doing this for years, and the Duke valued her insight into his son's behavior. Maria wasn't looking forward to having this conversation, but she knew it was necessary. She took a deep breath and steeled herself for the task ahead, wondering what the Duke's reaction would be.
Meanwhile, back in his room, Cecil couldn't shake off the feeling of nervousness. He had let his guard down and cried in front of Maria, and now he felt vulnerable. He knew he shouldn't have shown such weakness, but he couldn't help it. The emotions had been too overwhelming to contain.
As he paced around the room, Cecil couldn't help but think about Maria. She was one of the few people in this world who seemed kind and genuinely concerned about his well-being. Maybe, just maybe, he could trust her. Cecil thought to himself that it was probably okay to have shown his emotions to Maria, that she might not judge him too harshly. But he couldn't be sure, and the uncertainty made him anxious.
Just as Cecil was trying to calm himself down, he heard a soft knock on the door. It was Maria, returning with the water. Cecil's heart skipped a beat as he wondered what she would say, what she would think of him now that he had shown his weakness. He took a deep breath and called out, "Come in."
The door creaked open, and Maria entered with a gentle smile. She carried a tray with a glass of water and a small bowl of soup. "Master Cecil, I brought you some water and a light meal. You look like you could use it," she said, her voice soft and soothing.
Cecil's anxiety eased slightly as he watched Maria set the tray down on a nearby table. She moved with a quiet efficiency, her movements calm and reassuring. Cecil felt a sense of gratitude towards her, and his guard dropped a little more.
Maria turned to him and handed him the glass of water. "Drink this, Master Cecil. It will help calm your nerves," she said, her eyes filled with concern. Cecil took the glass, feeling a sense of comfort in her gentle touch. He took a sip, feeling the cool water soothe his parched throat.
As he drank, Maria sat down beside him, her presence calm and gentle. "Is there anything you want to talk about, Master Cecil?" she asked, her voice low and encouraging. Cecil looked at her, wondering if he could really trust her, if he could open up to her about his feelings.
Cecil smiled faintly, but said nothing. He just looked at Maria, his eyes unreadable. Maria was caught off guard by his silence, and for a moment, she was taken aback. She remembered all the times Cecil had been rude to her, the times he had snapped at her or ordered her around without a second thought.
But now, as she looked into his eyes, she saw something different. She saw a glimmer of vulnerability, a hint of sadness. It was a side of Cecil she had never seen before, and it left her feeling uncertain. Maria waited for him to speak, but the silence stretched out between them, and she found herself wondering what was going through his mind.