Chapter 22: Chapter 22

Violette POV

“Have you finished with the linens?” Ms. Beatrice asked.

“Yes, ma’am. I’ve finished all of my duties.” I said. She eyes me suspiciously but it was no lie. I’ve finished everything.

“You may join Lillian in the gardens, then.” She finally nodded her head. She’s done this to me every day. I believe I’ve actually caught her trying to see for herself whether it’s actually me cleaning or someone else.

She was watching me from a doorway, just examining me as I cleaned. When I turned around she tried to hide herself but I had already seen her. I thought it was funny and smiled before going right back to work. Now today, I’ve found her following me around everywhere I go.

“Thank you, Ms. Beatrice.” I gave her a soft smile and quickly took off. I walked down the hall and quickly turned a corner, accidentally bumping into something hard and warm.

Please, no. I squeezed my eyes shut and braced myself to be hit because I knew immediately who it was. His scent hit me like a truck.. it’s been a few days since I last saw Viktor.

“Where are you off to in such a hurry?” He grumbled. He looks like he’s meeting with someone of importance. Dressed nicely and hair combed straight. I tried my best not to meet his eyes knowing he could punish me at any moment.

“To the gardens to help Lillian, Master..” I said softly. I felt movement in my hair and looked up to see him pulling out a piece of black fuzz from my white strands. How.. odd.

“You may go.” He waved me off after he got the fuzz out of my hair and walked around me. I let out a breath and looked back, my eyes connecting with his one more just before he disappeared around the corner. That made my skin crawl like crazy.

Come on, Violette. Stop fooling around and go to the gardens before he changes his mind and kills you. I shook my head and continued to the gardens.

I didn’t bother to grab supplies because I knew Lillian had them. I opened the door and stepped outside, the warm light giving life to my soul. I wasn’t allowed outside often, so when I was I cherished every second.

I spotted Lillian chatting with another worker, a small smile on her face as she dug through the dirt. I quickly made my way over to her, though I was very quiet with the other girl around.

“It’s a beautiful day isn’t it, Princess?” Lillian asked. She scooted closer to me as the girl left.

“It is, Lillian. Will you please call me Violette.. you know how the people of the palace feel about me. I’m sure you calling me Princess offends them greatly.” I said sadly. She placed her hand on mine and nodded.

“I’m sorry.. I forget we aren’t home sometimes. But just know that you will always be a Princess. It runs through your veins so don’t forget it.” She said softly. I smiled at her and nodded.

“I won’t. Now, what can I do?” I asked.

•••••••••••••••••••

I pulled new weeds that have grown and watered the flowers, then we moved to the vegetables and pulled the ones that were ready and took care of the ones that weren’t.

“Come, Lillian. We need to bring these inside. Ms. Beatrice will be expecting them now. Have you finished your side?” I asked. She nodded her head as she grabbed her basket full of tomatoes, carrots, squash, and much more.

“Yes, I have. Goddess! These are heavy!” She wrapped her arms around the basket tightly and walked with me.

“They are. Ms. Beatrice will be very pleased. The vegetables look amazing. I bet the cherry tomatoes even have the perfect snap.” I said. A guard opened the door as we approached it and we walked inside.

“I bet it does. Maybe Ms. Beatrice will allow us one.” Lillian said. She took lead as we walked to the kitchens.

“No, Lillian. Don’t ask. Besides, we have dinner waiting for us when we’re finished.” I said with a smile. She nodded her head and pushed open the kitchen door with her bottom.

“Right on time, ladies. Oh! That’s quite a lot of vegetables.” Beatrice said happily.

“There’s actually another basket, Ms,” Lillian said.

I turned around and began making my way toward the door.

“Make it quick, your meals will be ready soon,” Beatrice said behind me.

“Yes, ma’am,” I replied and opened the door. I made my way down the hall and opened the door, the sky was getting dark and the moon was shining bright in the sky. I took a second to admire and appreciate it. Sending thanks to the Moon Goddess for such a beautiful day, even if she didn’t create it.

I quickly walked over to the gardens and grabbed the basket. When I picked it up, I stumbled and a tomato fell out and rolled to the ground. I went to go after it when a hand came into my view and picked it up for me.

“Here.. you dropped this..” his voice was soft and nervous. My eyes met his and I quickly looked away. He works in the stables, I think. I’ve seen him around a few times but obviously, I can’t make any friends so..

I held out the basket and he placed it down.

“You’re a maid? I’ve seen you around a few times. You work pretty well for a newbie.” He said with a smile. I shook my head and began walking towards the castle, hoping maybe that would get him to leave me alone.

Yet he jogged to follow me.

“What’s your name?” He asked. I shook my head once again and I noticed his eyes drift to my neck.

“You’re a slave.” He said softly. I don’t know what he wants, but I’m worried he’s going to get me in huge trouble with the King.

I walked to the door, the guard eyeing me suspiciously with the guy standing beside me. I shook my head and he opened the door.

“Leave her alone. She is the King’s slave.” The guard grunted. The guy’s eyes widened and he quickly nodded and walked off like he was already sentenced to death. What a bitch.

I nodded my head as a thank you to the guard and quickly ran down the hall. As soon as I pushed open the door an amazing smell hit my nose.

“What took you so long?” Lillian asked as she walked around Beatrice.

“Just dropped a tomato. And some weird boy followed me until the guard told him off. Here’s the rest.” I said and placed the full basket on the table.

“You didn’t speak to him?” Beatrice asked as she cocked up an eyebrow. I shook my head.

“I know my rules, Beatrice.” I said.

“Good. These are perfect. This is far more than enough.” Ms. Beatrice said. She continued mixing the ingredients Lillian had washed and cut.

“Violette, dear..will you check the bread?” Beatrice pointed at the oven. I quickly ran over to it with the oven mitts in hand and looked at the bread.

“They’re done,” I said. I slipped the mitts on and began pulling out the trays of bread.

“Great, both of you take them to the serving hall and have them cut. These are always best fresh out of the oven.” She said. I nodded my head and grabbed a tray that had 4 loaves, and Lillian threw on mitts and grabbed the other 4 loaf tray.

FindNovel