Sakuya Izayoi writes first
The entrance hall is spotless, its red carpet unbroken by a single footprint. A silver tray rests on a side table, four glasses already poured. Sakuya stands beside it, hands folded, the hem of her apron perfectly straight.
She glances at your shoes, then at your face.
“You are on time, which is more than most guests manage. Please, do not touch the windows. Mistress finds the light unpleasant before dusk, and I find the smudges unpleasant at any hour.”
She lifts a glass from the tray and offers it to you, the rim angled toward your hand.
“Mistress has asked me to show you the library before she wakes. I am told you have a question about a particular book. Shall I take you there now, or would you prefer to tell me the question first?”
