Chapter 5: My Mistress

Chapter 5: My Mistress

“What is this I’m hearing about you almost getting mauled yesterday?”

“You’ve mistaken. There’s no truth to those rumors. I only got a few scrapes. Nothing more. They’ve also healed already.”

The atmosphere in the room was heavy. Lord Rose sat at his desk while Lady Francine was standing in front of him, body straight and eyes nervous. Her hand keeps on fidgeting behind her. A clear indication that she wasn’t as composed compared to how she’s facing her father.

Evy was much farther away from them. Only a servant who’s observing.

She stood on the sidelines, most of the time, and would only move when she is directed to do an order from Lady Francine.

She had to get used to standing straight and not doing anything extra like tapping her foot or rocking back and forth. Least she would come off as someone incompetent and downgrade the house’ standard of service.

Which she doesn’t plan to do ever.

“You better be not lying to me, Francine. You know many people have their eyes on you. If they even spot anything wrong they’ll blame it on me. I can’t have that.” He said with a warning.

Lord Rose was a gluttonous man, black hair slick back as if licked by a cow, his nose big and his mustache styled in a standard comb shape.

But what his appearance may have someone think, he’s actually very good with managing his fief. Rumors go around the mansion and hearing from other maids that they were ranking up many profits with the many negotiations he manages to steal away from his competitors. All Evy can make of him was a great Lord.

As a father, that’s where she’s not impressed. Although Evy won’t comment it to anyone.

She’s only seen two times of him with Lady Francine, all of them as awkward and as tense as the next.

“I won’t disappoint you, Father. I promise no one will know.”

“You are dismissed. I expect to hear less of these scandals by the end of this week.”

Lady Francine and Evy both curtsied and left the Lord to his work. They were careful in shutting the door behind them.

Evy stares at Lady Francine’s back and thought to herself that she must be feeling down after her exchange with her father.

It wasn’t a secret that she hold him close to her heart. So having him reprimand her over something other people are pinning on her must be exhausting.

“My lady…”

“Don’t… say anything. I’m fine.”

Her eye trained intensely at the air.

And with that, she drops the subject.

If roles were reverse, she would have done the same.

...

Lady Francine's routine was tutoring lessons in the morning.

Her tutors would be composed of four and were told they were from different classes. Evy wondered if they have schools or is this how they educate children in this country. But if that’s that case, only a minority of the population is actually educated.

The reality of this country is still a confusing concept to Evy.

By afternoon she would watch, yet again, as her lady was being instructed by a trainer to ride a horse, galloping on the garden and doing a lot of running around.

She has moments where she has to wait for them to come back if they decided to go on a marathon deep in the forest estate. 

When evening hits, then comes her restricted service.

Evy, Lady Francine, and Oma would go down a certain hallway and stop by a single red door that was restricted to the others who are not permitted to go inside.

Evy happens to be one of those population.

“You can return here after three hours to retrieve me. Before that, you can relax or prepare what needs to be done but do not go inside the door. Do you understand?”

“Yes, my lady” She would say stoically.

This was the only time she is not allowed to accompany the young mistress and Oma would be the one to assist her.

She was told that it's where she has her special class. 

Evy has had the pleasure of seeing them disappear inside the room and come out, battered.

Most of the time though, she would see Lady Francine exit alone and have Oma nowhere to be seen.

She’d been told excuses that Oma had to clean up after the class ended so she’s busy with other duties.

Each time she hears it, she knows it’s a lie.

It wouldn’t be until the next day would she see Oma again. Although even with too much curiosity, she manages to rile herself before she can inquire about those special classes. (L:Special)

She fears that if she does, Oma would kill her for nosing around

As for asking Lady Francine, she’d thought about it numerous times, but a small part of her would almost always say that she has no business being told the truth. Evy wasn’t also confident that her mistress would allow her an answer.

She was only a maid after all.

Although she’d also be lying if she says she didn’t have thoughts at different times of the day where she’s hit with worry and will want to ask.

She can try though? 

….

“Ouch!”

“Stay still, Lady Francine. It’ll get infected if we don’t treat it.”

Evy looks over Lady Francine’s shoulder to learn how to treat wounds from their personal physician.

Safe to say, some process are the same, but the physician would always dab her mistress’ wounds with something green and has a mushy consistency.

She tried asking what it was and the physician would smile at her.

“This is a medicinal ointment, made from magical herbs that are used to close up small wounds.”

“Does it work?”

“Yes. But this kind of salve isn’t effective on deeper wounds. As for the bruises she has to drink a potion for that.”

After finishing her special class, she'd acquired a few scratches on her cheek and bruises on her arms.

For a woman that is reported to be beautiful, she has quite the experience of getting hurt.

That was why Lord Rose was adamant in her hiding these and not letting anyone reported see her with it, less they might make news about Lord Rose and running their mouth with whatever scandals they could think of.

The potion that the physician had been talking about was a small vial of blue liquid. After drinking it, her mistress's wounds would heal considerably faster than normal. 

She has never claimed to have known any medical treatment but even she can see how stellar these potions and healing salve works.

After a while, she was back to tending to her lady.

Evy was bathing Lady Francine again, careful not to put too much pressure in places where her bruises are still visible.

After a while of cleaning her up, Evy mustered up the courage and conscience to ask.

“My Lady, what do you do downstairs?”

Evy had never been curious about a lot of things, but after getting here she found herself more and more interested in her mistress activities.

More so, when it’s something as baffling and mysterious as getting injuries every other day, only to be hidden up with makeup and call it a class.

Then sure, she was willing to at least ask.

“It’s nothing you need to worry about.”

Lady Francine look at Evy with a smile that didn’t seem honest. While her eyes quickly turn distant after a beat.

“Is it important for you to do this?”

“In a way, it is. It’s more a necessity than an obligation to be honest.”

Her mistress started playing with the water. Her fingers still delicate even with the visible streaks of red on her arms. A complete contradiction to her stunning skin.

“I am the only heir to my father’s name and I won’t even be able to keep it after marriage. The only thing I can do is not bring shame to him. I’m doing this so I won’t put our reputation on the line. Muria knows a lot of people had doubts about me succeeding him.”

Lady Francine raised a hand and comb through her wet tresses, water flying outside the tub when she did so.

“You make it sound like the people around you, and Lord Rose doesn’t believe in your capabilities.” She said in a matter-of-fact kind of way.

“Maybe... Who knows? My father and I haven’t been the most vocal with our feelings. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets fed up with me and have me marry Rodrick out of spite.”

Her distaste clear on her words.

Rodrick of house Fedel, was a viscount’s son and the rumored fiance of Lady Francine.

Evy had seen the pictures and wasn’t a bad-looking man.

Although all his pictures were of him glowering. Not a cheerful man as she’d presumed.

Fact is, contrary to what every from the city believes, Sir Rodrick isn’t her fiance at all.

Though people had come to terms that he had been gaining favors with Lord Rose so the possibility of Lady Francine and Rodrick marrying would probably go in that direction.

“My Lady, have you perhaps tried communicating with your father? Talking to him about what you really feel”

“Talking… with my father is… well…”

Lady Francine combs her wet hair again, stares outside the window, and bit her lip. A small sign she wasn’t keen on the idea.

“... it’s hard. You’ve seen how he is. I also don’t think that I can do it…”

“...Does that make me a coward?”

She faced Evy. 

Compare to the times her lady would look at her as if she doesn’t have any emotions or would have too much that she would tease her uncontrollably, this time was different.

Her face didn’t give anything away but her eyes would tell a tale of fear and this vulnerabilities that Evy can’t point out.

Evy hasn’t found the reason why Lady Francine had easily taken a liking to her and didn’t even have troubles confiding behind closed doors.

She rather thinks she’s done something that makes Lady Francine be comfortable with her but was that her honesty… or her tendency to comfort people with empty words?

Which way should she reply?

But she knew how it feels like to be afraid that it consumes you terribly. So she can empathize at least that much.

“Yes. Unfortunately, I believe you are a coward, my lady”

Lady Francine’s expression was hurt. Her ruby eyes downcast to the water on the tub before slowly hugging herself, looking ashamed.

Evy realizes that no matter how regal Lady Francine could behave, she’s still young and emotional.

So a hand reached out to pat Lady Francine’s head three times, took a cup of warm water and began to wash her hair while saying warmly to her mistress.  

“...But I’ll tell you a secret, my lady. Everyone is a coward yet at the same time everyone is brave. No matter how much of a coward you are right now, you won’t know if you’ll still be a coward tomorrow. Just as you see brave people, you can’t expect them to pave their way without stumbling. Time will tell who you choose to be.”

Before she attempted at a small smile.

Her mistress smiles back at her.

“Thank you. I needed to hear that.”

Evy’s hand was grabbed by Lady Francine. At first it was a small squeeze before she felt her body being pulled until she was hugging lady Francine close to her chest while her lady was leaning on her.

Is this appropriate for a maid to do?

She didn’t say anything as she lets her mistress take comfort in her presence. Knowing she can’t do anything more than this.

 ... 

“How is the young mistress these days?” Evy was startled when Oma came out of nowhere and began talking to her.

“Please don’t scare me.”

Now she wondered how Oma could sneak up on her with how she usually walks. A mystery.

“My lady is getting by like she usually does. You already know that.”

Noticing Oma going quiet, she continued to boil water and prepare the tea leaf.

“Are you alright?”

“...”

The boiling of water slowly bubbled around the two of them as Evy waited for her to reply.

“What happens to me does not matter. My priority is the mistress.” Oma said and grab another tea leaf from the drawer above and gave it to her.

“This tea relieves sore from the body.”

Evy took it from Oma’s big hands, noticing her skin covered with lots of scars and her neck is covered with bandages.

Whatever they do underground, it wasn’t just Lady Francine that is getting injured. But she respectfully averts her eyes and says nothing.

“Thank you.”

Oma nodded.

“Please look after her while I’m not there.”  

Evy saw Oma turn around to let her do her job, as she heard the whistling of the water boiling.

….

“I’ll get that and maybe that too… I also think this is cute.”

Evy walked behind Lady Francine who was surrounded by extravagant dresses, gowns, and hats. A variety of styles, seasonal purposes, or trending fashion with the other nobles in the city.

Her lady had gotten more than six gowns and five dresses in a span of a ten minutes.

She wasn’t even trying them on and just commanded the store owner on her preferences. The tailor came out from behind the store and the two began talking about a custom-made gown she’s going to use in her debut party.

Lady Francine is turning 17 by the end of the month, meaning that Rose's household will be busy in the upcoming days going to the day of the debutante. Evy had it easy for now as her only job is to assist her lady get her gown picked, her schedule ready, and making sure to follow her mistress in her visits in different places.

Other than that, there are hardly any changes in her jobs at all.

“I need something that hides my arms and most of my shoulders, my back can be exposed so long as it doesn’t go lower to my waist. Colors can be of your choosing as long as it a dark theme. Anything that glitters is allowed. I want it less puffy and more form-fitted.”

“The last thing I need is your measurements. I know I have your last measurements but we can’t be a little too lax, since there could be difference already.”

“Sure. Sure.” Lady Francine turns to Evy and gave a teasing grin.

“Evy. After I take my measurements I’m going to try a few dresses that I picked then you have to tell me what you think.”

“That would  be useless since I can’t risk losing my job saying the truth.”

“Aren’t you already too blunt with me?”

“Of course not. If that was the case, I would have already pointed out how my lady is gaining weight and is complaining too much about not eating her veggies.”

Lady Francine looks horrified at her words before looking upset as she crossed her arms.

“The princess was right. You are mean.”

“I’ll tell you this right now. That is an understatement, my Lady.”

Lady Francine’s little pout slowly faded away and walked up at her before her usually cocking smile popped up.

“To be honest, I don’t mind you telling me the truth once in a while. Despite our different opinions, I think I can respect your judgment since you aren’t the kind of person who’ll takes advantage of me”

Lady Francine grabbed her hand and smile.

“So please, tell me what you think about the dresses.”

“If that is what you wish, my lady”

Lady Francine happily went along with the tailor for her new measurements, while Evy had to stand on the sidelines again so as not to bother other patrons that might come in.

Sure enough, another woman entered the boutique.

She looks to be in her thirties, black hair curled over her shoulder and a big feathered fan that hides half of her face. Closing the fan, she could see the longest pointed nose she has ever seen. Behind her, her own maid carrying her bags.

Evy was told before that she has a very bad habit.

What is that you may ask?

It’s her unrestrained staring tendencies on things that either make her feel inquisitive or makes her feel uncanny.

Right now she was both curious and unsettled, that she began to sweat as she continued to follow the lady walking on the boutique, still locked on her nose.

Get your head together!

“Evy! I’m done. What do you think?”

Evy was startled as her mistress came out of the dressing room.

Yet her eyes swerved to the other lady again as she came into her peripheral vision. Can she smell someone from 5 feet away or does it go a whopping 5 meters?

“Hello, Evy? Are you even listening to me?”

“Huh? Yes… of course, My lady. I’m here” She shook her head as she stared at her mistress.

“So what do you think?”

“Uhh…”

“Do you have something like this, that might fit me?” The woman talked to the owner while behind Lady Francine, her eyes can’t help getting glued on to the woman and ponders about the exact length of it.

“Evy!”

“YES!” Evy was completely cornered by her mistress.

Her lady’s face was so dangerously close to hers that she bit her tongue by mistake, making her internally groan in pain.

Her hand quickly went to her lips in instinct.

“Oh my! Are you okay?”

Lady Francine was all over her now.

Raising her hand to calm down Lady Francine, Evy had controlled her reaction to hide her blunder.

“I’m fine, my lady. I bite my tongue by accident.”

“I’m sorry. If I hadn’t tried to startle you, you wouldn’t have bitten your tongue.”

“No. Had I just focused my attention on my lady then I wouldn’t have been distracted at all.”

“Then it’s both our fault.”

“What were you even looking at, anyway? I mean, I’m wearing something revealing and here you are looking at someone else”

Because Lady Francine had mentioned it. It only just dawned on her about her lady’s clothes.

Looking down at it, It fitted her body to the point that it was like a second skin, her ample chest being enhance by the dress and the dip in the front was illegal to any innocent eyes.

Her cheeks flushed and she choked on her own saliva.

Lady Francine found it hilarious and began laughing at her. The both of them had finished choking and laughing, a few minutes afterward.

“That’s for ignoring me.”

“I would have seen the dress regardless if I had been distracted.”

“So what do you think?” While posing a few times.

Evy sighed. Now you’re the one ignoring me. 

“My Lady I know you’ll be of age next week but please consider that you’ll likely cause someone to get a stroke with that dress.”

“What is a stroke? Are you saying it doesn’t suit me?”

“No. It suits you terribly well. So well, that men might lose blood looking at you so please don’t get that one.”

“I hear you. I just donned this so I’ll get a reaction out of you. So far I did.”

Before chuckling away back to the dressing room.

Her mistress was cheeky, indeed.

After getting home from all the shopping, Lady Francine’s demeanor steadily turned sour as the time for her special class was getting nearer and nearer.

She never did seem as happy even before or during her activities downstairs.

The carriage jumped back and forth, shaking as it went.

They were going back home to the estate, and Lady Francine’s smile had been exchanged with a straight line.

“Will you be okay?”

She peeked at Evy before she shrugs.

“I don't know. But do I have a choice?”

“I’m sorry for asking, my lady.”

“No need to apologize. If anything— I want to thank you for taking my mind off it for a few hours.”

“I’ll be outside waiting for you, my lady.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it.”

 ...

Currently, she was at the servant's quarters eating food with the other maids and butlers. There were rows of tables and chairs lined up as they all paired by group or by three. She prefers to eat by herself considering her schedule doesn’t sync in with the others and she hasn’t warmed up to anyone.

Being alone helps, Evy could sneak away when she needed to and no one would notice it. This time, she overheard something that caught her attention.

Two maids that usually works with the rooms underground were behind her. They hadn’t realized that Evy had sat behind them.

“So I heard it got pretty bad recently.”

“Yeah, she got stitches this time but the numbing potion helps with the pain. She said she can still do it but who knows how long she can really take it.”

“It’s scary when you think about it.”

“I know. What if she gets killed?”

“We shouldn’t be talking about that”

Another passing maid got up and nudges the two talking and was subtly hinting at Evy. Because of this, the two finally noticed her presence.

The two changed tables while looking nervously at her. After she memorized their faces, she finished eating her lunch.

…

"I should wait for my lady." 

Her jobs description as Lady Francine’s second personal maid after Oma, was to take care of her lady’s needs.

Her clothes and room were clean. Her lady’s tea was already prepared in advance. After all the minor details have been taken care of.

She was rounded off with standing in the corner of the hallway waiting for her mistress to return.

She had become a statue, staring at people coming and going in the hallway. She had even spotted the maids in charge underground, giving her suspicious glances while Evy was in her head planning how to get Lady Francine to try another braiding style that she learn from Oma.

Amidst all this, she was met with a very strange situation, one involving a moving suit of armor that emerges from the door connecting the hallway that she was standing and the ones underground.

The door was destroyed like it was nothing, the armor that came out was a shiny chrome, the sword that paired with it, a rusted edge.

Screams were heard from behind the door the suit or armor just came out of. Servants running away from the commotion.

Evy, however, did not move and did not say anything.

For some reason, her mind buffered as she couldn’t stop staring at the armor.

At the same time, It also walked slowly towards Evy.

When they were face to face, Evy had to look up a little to see the head of the helmet and heard someone breathing.

Evy sniffed and knew quickly who was under the armor.

“Are you alright, my lady?”

The armor paused, tilting its head before suddenly the concrete beside her head crumbled at a speed she couldn’t fathom. The rusted sword pierced through the walls like nothing.

It was at this time, Evy had fully registered in her head that something wasn’t right.

The eyes that glowed underneath the helmet were purely red and the person inside was panting heavily as if in pain.   

“Get away! Now!”

Her body moved on its own the minute she felt the sword advance. Ducking in the last moment, the blade was barely an inch off her head.

Before the body of armor could enact further damage, Oma came out from the underground room and hugged Lady Francine and forcefully threw her sideways. The walls were damaged as it couldn’t handle the armor being thrown at it.

Evy stared as the suit of armor stood up, red eyes inside still gleaming  and her mistress appearing to glow a heavy amber.

“Run!”