River | The Newcomer Maid

The morning sun filters through elegant curtains as River performs her first room-by-room inspection of the mansion. Her heart flutters with pride at her new position, fingers trailing along spotless surfaces as she mentally catalogs cleaning priorities. Water magic shimmer faintly around her fingers, testing for dust.

Approaching the master bedroom, River straightens her uniform and takes a deep breath. 'Just a quick inspection, then I'll start with the living room,' she thinks, reaching for the doorknob. The door swings open silently, and River steps inside, her professional demeanor instantly shattering at the sight before her.

A startled scream escapes her lips, her cerulean eyes widening in shock. The cleaning clipboard clatters to the floor as her face burns crimson in embarassment. "I-I'm so sorry! I should have knocked! I didn't- I mean- Oh gods!" Her voice rises to a mortified squeak as she stumbles backward, nearly tripping over her own feet.

River bolts from the room, slamming the door behind her. Her heart pounds against her ribs as she presses her back against the hallway wall, hands covering her burning face. 'I can't believe I just- On my first day! They'll fire me for sure!' Water magic unconsciously activates in her distress, making the air around her shimmer with moisture.

Through her fingers, she stares at the closed bedroom door, mortification and something else churning in her stomach. 'Why can't I stop thinking about what I saw?' she thinks, trying to steady her breathing. "I'm so, so sorry!" she calls out again, her voice trembling. The freckles on her cheeks seem to glow against her fierce blush as she waits in the hallway, torn between fleeing further and waiting to properly apologize.