THE NEXT DAY. *
While the three have their breakfast. *
"I would like to apologize to the workers in the mansion later today." said Sarah
"Apologize...?!" exclaimed the Duke
"Yes, that's right... I must have treated them harshly before I lost my memories. Which is why I wish to do something to apologize."
"Ha-ha... All right so what do you plan on doing to apologize my dear child...?" asked the duke in a curious manner
"Well, for now the conclusion I have drawn from my conversation with the maid Sandra, is that they will probably feel offended if I offer money to compensate for my past mistakes."
"I understand why they would feel offended but, what else can compensate their injuries if not money...?" asked the Duchess
"That was exactly what I thought so I came up with an idea of serving them some unique tea."
"Unique tea and since when have you learnt how to cook, Rubia?!" asked the Duke
"Well, I just researched and found out that commoners who rarely have the chance to drink tea, which is an aristocratic drink, would be quite happy if they had a chance to drink tea."
"I see... You do make a point that not all commoners can afford tea leaves, but what do you mean by a 'Unique tea'...?" asked the duke
"Well, I have yet to taste it, but this is the recipe." said Sarah as she held a piece of paper
Sarah shows the paper she was holding in her hand to the couple. *
"These are some of the instructions on making a unique type of tea called the 'iced tea'." said Sarah
"Iced tea...? It's the first time I've heard of it..." said the Duchess
"Well, yes. It's not that popular but, it is a beverage that the servants enjoy especially during the heated summer."
"Well, it is quite a recipe and I'm pretty sure that the servants will enjoy it don't you think so, honey?" asked the Duchess
"Yes, they are sure to be overjoyed...! " said the Duke as he smiled
"..?"
"It's a great plan dear...!" said the Duchess
"Thank you so much." said Sarah as she smiled
"Sure."
The next morning all the servants are asked to assemble. *
"Good morning...! The reason why I have called you all here is that I had lost my memories.
One of the things that I had observed from all of you is that, I had probably ill-treated many of you in the past." said Sarah
Sarah's Pov -
The servants all had an expression of shock I guess it's only natural for them to be shocked since the person that treated them as trash suddenly came and apologized to them, they would probably not accept the apology and ask for money instead.
"I'm sure that all of you have heard that I had been poisoned a few days back. I had lost my memories, you see. And to many of you this may seem as an act, but I want you to know that it really isn't. I came to know from all your reactions that I had inflicted wounds upon you, Wounds so deep that they have forever scarred you.
I do not have the right to ask for forgiveness from any of you. But, I want to make a difference.
I am aware that the atmosphere around the house has dimmed a lot after brother left. I wasn't the one who interacted with you and asked how you were doing. It was all my brother.
He gave you all a certain amount of respect that I never once did. He is seen as the nice young master with an emotionally unstable sister amongst you."
"Miss..." said Venita who had been by Rubia's side ever since she was born
"I was ridiculed very often by the Ladies from the upper sections of society. Their main purpose behind inviting me to their various parties was to ridicule me. Me who was the fiancé of the man they wished to have so badly. I was seen as the Foolish Lady who was born into the Charleston Dukedom. If I had ever told my parents of what was going on... I would have been bullied even more. I never had a friend nor did I have an arm to cry on. I was becoming mad, wasn't I...?" said Sarah as tears slowly started pouring
Sarah's Pov -
I don't know why, but I keep seeing those scenes in my head... Rubia screaming quietly and threatening the maids to keep it secret. She did not join the family meals since her eyes were always swollen from the nights she spent crying. I extended my arm to her only to forget that it wasn't real. It just felt real.
"I'm sorry for wasting your time. You can ask the butler for money and a letter of recommendation before you quit. And as to leave you all with a final good memory... You can treat yourselves to some tea and biscuits. I will leave now. Have fun." said Sarah as she turned back approaching the door
"Wait for a second, miss." Said Venita
"Is anything the problem?" asked Sarah
"It is true that you had hit a few of the maids, but the one who poisoned you... She a few problems she kept secret with me. She had been abused in the past. She was terrified of having to see sharp object which is I had her kept away from the kitchen."
"What are you trying to say, Venita?"
"I think you have misunderstood a few things, miss."
"She's right, miss. You did call us to your room, but you were the only one who ever got hurt in the end. It wasn't us." said Sandra
"What do you mean?" asked Sarah
"You did threaten us not to tell anyone of your problems, miss. But you never once laid a hand on any of us." said another maid
"She's right. You did throw a few things around the room, but you never hurt us, miss." said another one
Soon enough all the maid's start joining in support. *
"None of you ever got hurt?" asked Sarah
"No, miss. The only thing that hurt us... Was the fact that we had left you to bear the pain alone without ever reaching out to help you."
"You guys! I am truly grateful to all of you...! I promise you that I will repay the kindness you all have shown me by becoming some worth of the 'Charleston' Name." said Sarah
"It's all fine, Miss." said Venita as she smiled at Sarah offering her a hug
"Thank you all so very much...!"
Sarah's Pov -
In the end... No one had taken the offer to leave. They all stayed. I don't know why, but I feel very proud of myself right now.
But... Wasn't it written in the novel that Rubia had bullied the maids...?
I know that Venita will never lie to me and seeing the other maids in support of Venita. It only says that what she said was the truth.
And more importantly, why the hell was Rubia poisoned in the first place...? That never happened in the original Novel. And the scenes I saw on my head were never mentioned in the novel as well... I need to find out who that maid was. And why she poisoned Rubia.
TO BE CONTINUED...