I'm drowning. The vessel which used to be filled with emotions and thoughts is now being filled with water. So much water. I can feel this fragile thing called life slipping away. I hear a voice.

"Young mistress, your tea."

Lily almost screamed. Her thoughts had drifted, and her butler's voice brought her back to reality. She looked at the man standing in front of her and quickly composed herself. "Thank you, Sebastian," she said, calmly.

"Forgive me for startling you," the butler said, bowing slightly.

"It's alright. I just got lost in my thoughts."

Sebastian nodded, and Lily dismissed him. "My lady, you have a full schedule today."

"I want to be left alone for a bit."

"Very well, but you have a dancing lesson in 15 minutes."

Lily didn't respond. She was looking at her cup of tea. After a pause, Sebastian asked, "Is there something wrong with your tea? I can make a new pot for you."

"No, not at all," the teenage girl replied. She took a drink and nodded in approval. "The tea is excellent, as usual. Thank you. Now, please leave me and come get me when Mrs. Philbin arrives."

"Yes, my lady," Sebastian responded, and he left the room.

Lily sighed and looked at her cup again. Usually, she didn't mind being busy, but today, she just wanted to be left alone with her thoughts. Today of all days was when she needed peace and time to reflect on her life. Of course, the Athelward Manor was rarely a peaceful place. There was always something going on: balls, guests visiting for one reason or another, and the servants were always messing things up. Why did she ever hire them?

Speaking of, she could hear something going on now. Baldroy probably set something on fire in the kitchen again, or Mey-Rin probably tripped over something and broke the dishes again, or Finnian probably mucked up something in the garden again. Ordinarily, she didn't mind; they were good people who tried their best at their jobs, but today, she was in no mood to deal with them.

After hearing a crash, Lily quickly stood up out of her chair in her study and yelled, "Sebastian!"

Almost immediately, Sebastian ran in and said, "Yes, my lady, I am taking care of it."

"Cancel all my appointments today."

Sebastian stopped. "I'm afraid I cannot do that. Your dancing lesson is in a few minutes, then afterward-"

"I don't care. Just cancel everything. I will not be seeing anyone today, nor will I be going out. That is an order."

The butler looked at the girl strangely, then sighed. "Very well, my lady. I will see to it you are not disturbed."

"Thank you."

Ordinarily, Lily didn't enjoy being so cross with anyone, especially her butler, but she simply couldn't handle any form of socializing or excitement that day. She sat down again, feeling guilty for being so harsh to Sebastian, but she knew he would understand.

Of course, he would understand.