Walking into the dining room, Anna spotted two maids—her colleagues—standing near the long oak table. They were whispering and giggling, but the moment they saw her step in, their chatter ceased instantly, and both straightened their backs in a reflex of discipline.
One of them, her close friend Mina, leaned slightly to the side, craning her neck to peek behind Anna as if expecting someone else to follow. Her brows lifted with curiosity when no one appeared.
"Young Master Ethan isn't coming," Anna said, responding to Mina's unspoken question. Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper. "He asked for his meal to be brought to his room."
"Really?" Mina blinked, surprised, her voice reflecting the unexpectedness.
The other maid, Reia, tilted her head, her tone laced with mild concern. "Is he sick? He hasn't come out since morning."
Anna thought back to earlier—how Ethan had looked groggy but otherwise fine. Shaking her head, she replied, "I don't think so."
