They arrived at the palace almost dinner time, they both went their separate ways. Jada got to her room and closed the door behind her.
She sensed a presence in the room, scared, she reached for the door again.
"I asked the maids where you went but they don't seem to have an idea", Leo's voice stopped her from bolting out.
She turned slowly, The room was barely lit but she saw him anyway. Leo was seated on a chair with a leg crossed over the other, his arm rested on the armrest, his hand supporting his jaw his eyes looked dark with the lack of light.
His Hawkeyes watching her every move, due to Instinct Jada hid the jewel behind her.
"Milord", She bowed with her hair falling forward, she remained in that position without looking at him. She heard the chair creaked as he stood up. He stalked towards her, his well polished leather shoes came in view.
"Raise", came the command. She stood up properly.
"What do you want me to do for you Milord",
"A lot but for now I'd like to see what you are hiding". Jada instantly felt nervous.
Remembering what she saw the other night she flushed. She slowly revealed what she was hiding.
Leo took hold of it, examining the piece his eyes darkened. "I can't remember when I saw something like this, I thought these were lost", He murmured to himself.
"Do you know about the gem Milord ?",
"Not much", He said placing the jewel in her hand. "We'll be heading back to the mansion tomorrow, make sure you don't sleep late", with that he disappeared into thin air.
Jada eyes widened
Ahhhh!
She screamed. She heard a knock on her door. "Milady, are you okay", She heard a guard say outside the door. Forcing words for her mouth she replied. "Yes...yes I thought I saw a cockroach it's both really". She faked a laughing to hide her shaky voice. "If there's anything bothering you, let me know Milady",
"I'll keep that in mind".
Jada remained rooted to the floor, Did he just disappear ?, she thought she was hallucinating, "But he was here a few moments ago", she muttered to herself. She rushed to lock the doors and windows, not sure of what might enter her room next.
***
Beads of sweat formed on Jada forehead as she beat the pale sheets with a stick, other maids were also washing sheets at the flowing stream few yards away from the back of the mansion.
The stream reflected the image of the hot sun, for the past few weeks since their arrival from the central empire. She Jada been avoiding any contact with the Lord.
She has been switching duties with others maids when she is assigned to serve in the dining hall, she doesn't mind carrying extra tasks. Slowly the rumors of her being the Lord's s*x slave stopped.
When she and the lord arrived, the housekeeper frowned at her with disgust, she thought she finally got rid of her but her plan failed.
Suddenly rumors broke out. Whenever the housekeeper sees Jada she always looks displeased.
Lacy has been giving her dead glares since she got back. Standing up, she took the basket of washed sheets to air them on the lines.
She was spreading the sheets when she saw a fancy carriage pulled up in front of the mansion. It was the Duke's daughter.
She has been visiting the lord quite often. Rumors said they were engage and soon to get married.
Some said the Duke's daughter is shamelessly pursuing the Lord, this time she came with her brother, the future Duke.
The butler welcomed them into the mansion. The Duke's son, Derrick have been wooing Jada over a week now.
Derrick waved at Jada before he into the mansion. The butler gave her a stern look making her avert her gaze.
Everyone knew about the Duke's son interests for the maid girl, it wasn't surprising when he asked for her audience.
The housekeeper ordered her to serve the guests that were waiting for the Lord's audience. The guests were half vampires, Jada took a tray containing a jar of blood, teacups and a few other things to prepare the blood tea.
Since Jada started working for the pureblooded vampire, she never got used to the sight of blood. The head chef made her understand that if she shows any slight disgust for blood in front of the vampires she might end up being dead.
So she learnt how to mask her expression while in front of the vampires.
She got to the art room before the guests, the door opened. The Duke's daughter, Sandra walked in she wore a light yellow dress that complimented her blonde hair and light red eyes. She was speaking to her brother.
On seeing the maid girl, Derrick's eyes sparkled in delight. "Jada,how are you doing", "I'm fine Sir Derrick", She offered a slight bow to the siblings.
Sandra took a seat completely obvious of her presence, She believes anyone underneath her status is not worth gaining her attention, most vampires had the same mentality especially when it came to a human maid.
Jada started mixing their tea, as soon as she was done serving them, the door flew open and Leo walked in. Their eyes met for a brief period.
Jada seem to be in a daze. It has been long since she saw him, she snapped out of her daze when she saw the stern look on the butler's face. He was behind the Lord.
She looked down and gave the Lord a bow. She excused herself and walked out.
"Jada!", she heard her name, she turned to see who called her. She saw Derrick approaching her. "How may I help you Sir Derrick".
"Let's take a walk".
"I'm sorry, I am yet to be done with my duties", She bowed slightly in apology.
"A few minutes work wouldn't be harmful".
Jada knew he wouldn't stop persuading her until she says yes so she nodded.
He smiled brightly. They walked to the mansion's garden, they spent the time talking about random things. Derrick told her about his adventures traveling to different empires, Jada was very interested in touring so the topic caught her interest.
"A merchant that sells sweets and chocolates passed thorough the southern borders, he sold some sweets, I thought you might be interested to taste these", He showed her a pouch almost filled with different wrapped candies.
Jada blue eyes sparkled in delight. She had tasted one of these in the institute but only once and she loved it, she salivate remembering the bust of flavors her tongue is about to experience.
"No, she's not interested in those Sir Derrick". Leo said approaching them, Sandra was clinging onto his arm. When they got to where Jada and Derrick stood, Sandra peeked at the amount of sweets in the bag.
She shook her head and tsked.
"Milord, I just came across these, they taste good so I decided to share these with her".
"The maids are not entitled to enjoy luxury of sweets". Came his blunt reply. Sandra was quick to agree with Leo. She wasn't in support with the maid her brother had an interest for. "Jada wouldn't be a maid for long, I plan to make her my wife", Derrick hit the bullseye. Sandra gasped in surprise. Jada looked at him confused, She wished she was elsewhere, the atmosphere changed. Leo eyes darkened.
"No maid leaves or get married without my permission". He shifted his gaze at Jada. "Get back to work Jada". He instructed.
Jada walked away without turning back, Derrick resisted the urge to call her back, even though he was going to be the next Duke of the Southern empire, he doesn't wage enough power to challenge the pureblooded vampire Lord. Not even his father.
Jada felt the tension raising in the air, she was glad she was dismissed.
She liked Derrick as a friend, she was amazed at his confidence to tell the Lord his intention even though he might not agree.