As I stood resolutely in front of Matadre, the head maid of the castle, my heart pounded with determination. I couldn't bear the thought of enduring another encounter like the one I had just experienced with Lord Fashire. The memory of his piercing gaze and commanding presence sent shivers down my spine. I had reached my limit.
"I'm not doing this again."
Matadre stopped short in front of the kitchen entrance at my declaration. "Pardon?"
Becca and I had returned to the kitchen when I met her leaving the place. Worst of all, I had listened to her announce that it would take two days for the others to return to their post and we would have to continue what we started till their arrival.
"I'm not doing this again." I stood resolutely in front of her, standing my ground. "I can't. I just can't!" I continued, a pleading tone seeping into my voice.
A tired sigh escaped Matadre's lips as she pinched the bridge of her nose, momentarily closing her eyes. She peered at me with crimson eyes, slight wrinkles gathering at the corners to lend her a stern demeanour.
Folding her arms across her chest, she leaned in closer, as if searching for understanding. "What do you mean, Hiln?"
"No. Not that," I clarified with a light frown. "I just want a change of stations. I…" I looked down at the tray, envisioning Lord Fashire's piercing eyes.
Matadre shook her head, her expression firm. "Hiln, I cannot grant you that request." Her words dashed my hopes in an instant. "I understand Lord Fashire's presence may be unsettling to you, but this is something you must get used to—the way some of the others have." She straightened and rested a hand on her hip. "Not to worry. It's only for two more days until the others return from their break."
My spirit deflated, the last remnants of my resistance crumbling under Matadre's unyielding words. I gritted my teeth, resigning myself to my fate. "Yes," I grumbled, begrudgingly accepting the reality before me.
"Do you understand, Hiln?" she insisted.
"Yes, I understand."
"Good." A flicker of sympathy briefly crossed Matadre's face as she nodded. A small smile broke through her stern features. "Thank you, Hiln, for understanding," she acknowledged, patting my shoulder before stalking off.
Becca, who had been watching the exchange from the kitchen, poked her head out and looked at me with concern. "Everything okay?"
"No," I growled, my frustration still simmering. Realizing there was little Becca could do to change the situation, I quickly shifted the conversation. "Did you get to see the human you wanted to?"
"Oh. Yes!" Becca's face brightened—just for a moment before deflating. She lowered her head. "But… I couldn't relax enough to focus on him when I was worried about you."
My heart melted at her consideration. I was touched.
I let out a small smile. "It's okay, Becca."
"Wait. A moment." She took the tray from my hands, relieving me of my burden, and took it into the kitchen.
She joined me back outside, and we made our way to our rooms.
"It was a woman. A young one at that," Becca started. "She was so pretty too with such amazing eyes. She was pretty quiet, but I'm sure with proper care from Lady Gremlin, a smile will return to that pretty face!" Becca started to smile.
"Is that so?" I muttered.
My confrontation had been the complete opposite, leading my mind to be preoccupied with darker thoughts.
Unable to contain myself any longer, I whispered, "Becca, did you see the boy?"
Becca's expression faltered, her smile fading as she realised who I was referring to. She bit the inside of her lower lip. "I... I couldn't get a good glimpse of him," she admitted, a tinge of disappointment in her voice. "Lord Fashire's chamber is always so dark, making it difficult to see clearly."
My chest tightened, and I fought the urge to voice out my troubling thoughts. Because, oh lord, the boy was so small. The sight had been a pitiful one. And no amount of cleanliness could mask the grimness of the situation.
My brows creased into a frown and I pressed further. "Becca. You've been here longer than I have… Has 'he' ever had a pet so young?"
Becca didn't answer my question until we stopped in front of her room.
"No." She looked at her door, eager to run away from the conversation. "This has never happened before. I don't know why the Lord would bring in such a young—"
I couldn't hold it anymore and I cut her off, my voice barely above a whisper, "Becca. He wasn't just young. That was a child."
Becca shook her head and faced me, her features contorted with a mixture of concern and sadness. "You shouldn't worry yourself about their kind. It's not like we can even do anything about it, Hiln." She rubbed her arm, clearly troubled. "I know you empathize with them since you've lived among humans. We've noticed that about you, but we have our limits. You can't do anything for them."
My heart pounded in my chest, a mix of fear and caution flooding my senses. They had already noticed that about me? Did they suspect my true nature too? That I was not just another servant but a human infiltrator? I tried to suppress my rising paranoia, reminding myself that no one would ever suspect a human willingly working alongside vampires. Still, the thought lingered, casting a shadow of doubt.
I thought I had been careful enough to not be concerned about the vampire pets. I was lucky they didn't have any suspicions as to who I was.
I guess it had been a good idea for me to bring up the story of my living amongst humans. If I hadn't…
"Hiln?"
Lost in my troubling thoughts, Becca's voice brought me back to the present.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
My lips strained as I forced a tired smile. "No, Becca. Not really… This evening has left me shaken." I scratched my wrist absentmindedly. "I've never really encountered the Lords before, except Lady Gremlin, so this was a little terrifying."
A 'little' was an understatement, and we both knew it.
Becca sighed and leaned against her door. "I remember feeling the same way when I first had to attend to Lord Fashire… You know what?" She perked up and straightened. "I could help you serve his pet tomorrow morning while you prepare yourself for the evening. Just this once."
Relief washed over me, and I couldn't help but pounce on Becca, enveloping her in a grateful hug. "Thank you so much, Becca. You're truly wonderful!"
She chuckled and pushed me back gently. Her smile widened. "Of course, I am!" she exclaimed with pride, puffing out her chest and resting her hands on her hips.
A genuine smile played on my lips as we bid each other goodnight, the weight of the upcoming day now slightly lighter.
Tomorrow seemed bright now all of a sudden.