The butler's shoes clicked like a metronome along the marble corridor. Lucian kept pace half a step behind, hands folded neatly behind his back, the posture of an obedient guest. Their polite talk, weather, renovations, minor gossip, thinned as they neared the entrance hall.
At the corridor junction, Lucian slowed. "Excuse me," he said mildly. "Where might the privy be?"
The butler blinked, thrown by the interruption. "Left wing, third door past the staircase."
"Thank you." Lucian inclined his head. "I'll find my way out after refreshing myself." His smile was courteous, and enough to dismiss the man.
The butler nodded and retreated, footsteps fading into the next corridor.
Lucian walked until the corridor bent toward the rear veranda. The muffled hum of servants faded behind him. He pushed open a side door, stepping into a smaller courtyard lined with trimmed hedges and a dry fountain.
