Earl Windsor led me back to the foyer, passing a grand staircase, and down a hallway. The hallway had many arches and paintings on the walls encased in ornate wooden frames. There were a few white statues and busts around on pillars or small tables, but one of them seemed to be missing because there was a small table right next to the shut door we stopped right outside to the left. He knocked three times on the door and did not call his son as we waited in the hallway.

I guess I found it strange as the earl noticed my slightly raised eyebrow and elucidated in a hushed whisper, "He prefers peace and quiet." Perhaps, this is a reason why they did not have servants—too much noise?

Nonetheless, that was when a voice from the other side said, "Enter." Earl Windsor opened the door, and we entered.

The room held a canopy bed to the left with curtains so dark that I first thought they were black before I noticed they were instead a deep shade of blue from the window's light. To the right was a desk with many compartments, which reminded me of something from the post office. In the middle of the room sat a downcast figure, his back was facing us as he looked outside two large windows. If he had not granted us entrance before, I would have thought he could not hear at all.

Countess Windsor broke from our group first, walking to the back of his side. "Son, we have someone to see you."

He exhaled rather harshly, as he reached from his sides, turning himself around to face his mother. That was when he noticed me, and his blue eyes went wide as if a massive revelation just dawned on him. "Mother, I am not even dressed—" It was at that moment, when their bickering mentally faded from my mind, that I realised three things: (1) he was not a child; he looked like a young adult around my age, (2) he was wearing a white nightgown which did not seem that appropriate for the occasion and (3) he was not sitting on a regular chair—no—he was sitting in a wheelchair. It was a rare spectacle to behold indeed.

The earl seemed to notice my agape mouth, and I politely tapped it shut. The ever-polite man walked over to his son, motioning at him with a wave of his hand, while I covered my mouth, looking sideways as my cheeks grew hot.

The earl respectfully cleared his throat, demanding all attention from the room. Viscount William and Countess Windsor stopped bickering with each other and looked to the man of the room. The countess looked at her husband. Saying, "We do not have to do this for her."

"Dearest, it is impolite if we do not, no matter who is being introduced." The earl grabbed his son by the forearm and looked to the countess who was doing nothing. "Dearest, I cannot do this alone."

She crossed her arms. "Then I guess you will not do it at all. He can sit during this introduction."

The earl sighed, letting go of his son's arm. He took in a deep breath and looked at me with a smile planted on his face. "Miss Claire Becker, this is our son, Viscount William Windsor."

Viscount William examined me just as I had examined him. I noticed his unkempt ebony hair and ailing pale skin.

After a few seconds which felt like lifetimes, I waved as I walked up to him, and said, "Hello, my name is Claire Becker. It is nice to meet you, Lord William." I tried to pretend everything was normal because everyone deserves to be treated with respect no matter where they came from or what they looked like. All lives were worth living and deserved respect even if others did not think so.

"So, I know your name, but who are you, madam?"

I was going to say something, but the countess beat me to it. "She might be your caregiver, but only if you want her to be."

At the sound of the word 'caregiver,' Viscount William resumed arguing with his mother, "Mother, I do not want a nanny—I am twenty-three years old—and I certainly do not want another one to meet me just to decline the offer."

"Oh, but I do not mind the wheelchair at all, and I came here on my own accord. I didn't know your parents until today."

"You...didn't?" the viscount questioned slowly. We looked at each other, my forest-green eyes connecting with his ocean-blue orbs. I gave him a heartfelt smile, and I swear I could see the corner of his lips perk up a little.

The countess stepped between us, spreading her arms to push me away from her son. "Okay, I think that is enough of an introduction." She looked from the viscount to me, her once kind gaze turning into a pointed one of annoyance to me as her eyes became slits and her nose wrinkled a bit. "You can go now." She grabbed my hand, and not-so-gently led me out of Viscount William's room, down the hallway, and into the foyer, before the earl caught up to us, holding his wife's shoulder back to stop her.

"Dearest, are you sure that was enough time for Viscount William to decide?"

"Well, it was the same amount of time the others had, so yes, I do think so."

"But that was only because they left on their own accord. She was not done talking with him yet." He turned to me. "Am I right, Miss Becker?"

Surprised he would bring me into this conversation, I stuttered, "Uh, no. I look forward to being Viscount William's caregiver—if that is what he wants."

Seeing that she was outnumbered, the countess played the victim. "Darling...why are you taking her side? You are my husband!" She fanned herself, eyes full of obvious crocodile tears.

The earl subtly rolled his eyes and sighed, shaking his head. "Lady Beatrice, why don't you buy something nice for yourself to calm down? We can talk about this later."

"Okay!" she chirped, her fake tears magically gone, as the earl took out his wallet and gave her some loose bills. She had seemed to completely forget my existence as the earl pushed me behind him before waving his wife goodbye.

He waited until she closed the front door before spinning around and seizing my forearms. My joints locked up as I became tense, my green eyes wide in surprise. An earl should not be doing this with someone of my social standing. "Miss Becker, I am begging you," Earl Windsor said as he fell to his knees, looking at me as if I was an angel. "You are the only one who has expressed interest in taking care of Viscount William. I fear that no one will fill the position if we do not hire you."

My body loosened as I gently shook Earl Windsor's grip off me. "My lord, I will gladly take the position, but is it not up to Viscount William who gets to take care of him?"

Just then, someone cleared their throat to my right. We both looked to see Viscount William had snuck up on us.

Earl Windsor slowly pushed on his knees to stand. "Lord William?" he questioned in astonishment and walked to his son. "What are you doing out of your room?"

"Is Claire...staying?"

"Only if you want me to," I added quickly, joining Earl Windsor beside his son.

"I do not mind," he said, and I beamed with a bright, toothy smile.

"Well, it is final," Earl Windsor stated. "Miss Becker, you are officially Viscount William's caregiver."