"Why are you looking at me like that, shouldn't you doing something about this situation" Vanni snapped she couldn't help but feeling frustrated as an Impending headache dawned on her already tired body.
She come out because to clear her head little and get the evil warding talisman in the treasury for Megha's nightmares, when she caught the sight of the Meera she decided apologize for her earlier action she was indeed little embarrassed by her action.
For one she was never used profanities or raise her voice against her elders, In her whole life she never treated the maids or any other servants using her status badly but seeing how her emotions get better of her and seeing Megha apologize to Meera in her stead didn't sit well with her it felt like she was the younger one here.
But who knows she would find something this incredulous all of sudden had she not paid enough attention she would have still ignorant about this matter obviously she was furious and frustrated by Meera's actions. It was she, who personally choose this maid for this trip and she was also the one specifically selected her for peach blossom estate thinking she was a good and harmless person to brought in.
'Ugh! why is this have to be today?' She already felt a strong headache from today's trouble she wanted to make some arrangements for special day tomorrow but things are kept getting In her way it annoyed her to no end.
If she was honest with herself she could also somewhat agreed to Meera In this matter, head maid was indeed someone she respect and very familiar with like Meera said head maid was very fond of Megha since young age she also know about her visit this last two days.
But what was bothering her was sensitivity of the matter, Megha babbled about poisoning the elders of the sect and some other dark things and head maid was someone upright and cautious loyal towards the leader not to mention she had no control over other party if she decide to tell this to Megha's father then things would go bad.
Megha's father, the current sect leader was someone could be categorized as righteous to fault by even his arch rivals, he might not hesitate to dish out punishment if he learn this from head maid; if this matter reach elders was even more worst possible outcome they would be very displeased and wary of her.
She was praised by elders and disciples as a extraordinary genius and hope of the sect as a only child of the sectleader heiress to the sect so many things could go wrong this was why she admonished Megha earlier hoping to get rid off such a foolish thoughts but she was really become very concerned.
" Did you think little Miss that kind of person?" Vanni asked with serious face " She was kind and considerate person when I scolded you earlier it was she who intervened wasn't she? Have you ever seen someone of her status sincerely apologize to a new maid? Use your head from time to time"
She gritted her teeth " She was having this terrible nightmare she was talking some nonsense did you have to blown things up like this" she pointed her finger at Meera motion her to stand up " She was someone with great status and destined to do extraordinary things you know her status in the sect right? if this thing spread out what would happen to her reputation are you going to take responsibility for this?"
Vanni caught the sight of small red bird enter her line of sight with a screech it sat on low level branch on a flower tree she secretly sighed in relief " I'll go meet up with head maid in few hours and see what I can do? "
She gestured Meera to go along with her duty "Take care of her if she woke up from another nightmare treat her carefully don't enter the room carelessly if you felt something was wrong with her ....or if something happened to her I will personally pluck off your head with my own hands"
She took out a whistle from her robe and gently blew it the red bird came down perched on her shoulder without sinking its claws expertly she walked towards the side where a small cabin with few bird cages and a single desk with parchments, ink and brushes she quickly wrote something rolled it and stuffed it in the small wooden bottle on it neck.
' Thank God the shadow guards were back where the hell did they gone this long with uncle.... well I guess I'll get the reply sooner '
She abandon the plan to visit the treasury she asked Red Hawk(The birds owner go by that name) to fetch that talisman later now her first priority was to meet up with head maid ' I hope she didn't acted out rashly yet '
Her legs had a hazy luster her speed doubled as she streaked through the grass land like gracefull spiritual deer that is if someone had not notice her pained expression 'Damn it!'
It didn't take her that long to reach the maid residents she slow down and corrected her appearance she strode towards the head maid residents the head maid wasn't there she asked a maid she has some acquaintance with to contact her she know she had to waited for sometime.
She didn't wait in the head maid's quarters instead waited back yard where a small place of land adjacent with the quarters like most of the maid residental areas but she was amazed by how well and meticulously the garden taken care of and All kind of fragrant flower plants planted there and the most obvious ones were cherry trees with beautiful flower petals gently swaying in the wind.
There was a one particular tree grabbed her attention it was big and lush in front of her already had a chair and small desk placed right under it. Vanni reckon this was where head maid usually relax in her free time she was little envious of head maid living such a peaceful moments she had to say even the grand elder wouldn't live such a carefree life and it was said he was an carefree person.
'Could it be normal person enjoy and understand life more throughly than martial artist?' she wondered
"Beautiful aren't they " a pleasant voice coming right behind her, Vaani turned to look at the source of the voice it was no doubt the head maid she was waiting for she was looked rather young for her position.
Not only was she had this unique gentleness about her face with her mature body and fair look she could be said to be a beauty on her own right it in her prime, it was said that she joined the sect less than a dozen years she became head maid because of her hard work and dedication towards the sect.
At that time the candite for head maid openly agreed she wasn't that meticulous and hardworking as head maid and let her take the post magnanimously this was saying something but what shocked her was as a rookie martial artist who soon stepped in to the martial artist rank could not sense an ordinary person approaching her.
"Y-yes, head maid how have you been, I hope I didn't disturb your work" she apologized Vanni somewhat became guarded subconsciously.
"Haha, is that so, then I'm glad there are people admire my work and like minded" her eyes closed in crescent shape as she smiled a happy smile "Young Miss please take a seat I like to enjoy this peaceful scenery whenever I'm free."
" I'll go get something for you to relax" she guided Vanni to the wooden chair despite her refusal since she had to ask something Vanni didn't protest much. "I got some tasty fruits from our sect herbal garden"
"Head Maid here you go" the maid Vaani requested earlier enter the back yard expertly balancing the a tea pot with few cups and tray with freshly cut fruits head maid hurriedly went to help out one of the tray from her hands.
"My, oh My! What are you doing here? shouldn't you gone to your post?" she carefully placed them at the desk and poured a hot fragrant tea into the one of the cup "Young Miss please give it a try to my house tea"
Vaani take that cup from head maid hand and sipped it out of politely and nodded with smile "It's good tea I don't remember drinking such fragrant tea in my life" she praised though she did indeed drink few drinks better this not by by much this is considering her origin.
Vanni's eyes glanced at her maid acquaintance as if trying to understand something it was noticed by the maid she sheepishly explained " We are neighbors I, live few quarters apart and we are often invited to head maid's house for dinner or Tea Party we often help her in set things up " she explained her familiarity with a sheepish look.
"Malar You didn't answer me why you don't go to your post..... are you okay?"
"Have you forgotten it already, today was my free day" Malar smilingly replied Vanni catch her rolling her eyes, find it little amusing "Young Miss, please try out this red fruit its very delicious, it was a gift from herb garden lord " she gossiped as she slid the fruit plate.
'Hmm!' "It's really delicious...!" Vanni face blushed from her sudden bashful expression unladylike behavior "Please Pardon me, it was careless of me haha! "
She talked with the other two for sometime and head maid understandingly send off Malar to her house she then turned to Vanni with curios expression.
Vanni was little nervous " Is that alright I hope I'm not taking your time? " she politely expressed her concern.
"No, it's nothing to worry about, I already arranged what to do vice head maid will take care of this thing in my stead, please speak freely Young Miss you are just talking to me " she smiled in assurance.
"Um its like this, I heard from Meera, she said few things to you today about Megha what I'm te-"
"OH that! " Head maid showed a brief surprised expression " I thought this was something important, phew! Was little Miss alright she was probably sleeping isn't she? "
The tense atmosphere dissipate immediately while vaani being still little confused head maid seemed totally carefree " Y-yes, she was fine now....a-about what Meera ta- "
" I know, what you were worried about rest assured I'm not doubting our little Miss character and integrity as someone who watched both of you grow up I know what to believe and how to take this" her smile didn't faltered since the beginning she even peeled some fruits and put it on Vanni's plate.
Vanni relaxed her tense body lot she sighed in relief " I... Head Maid thank you for your understanding and your trust in us, sigh! I was little nervous early " she eat few fruits from the bowl with enjoyment.
"Are you alright young Miss?"
"Huh?" she looked up and noticed head maid's gaze on her current condition. Vanni blushed in shame she was havinglot of things in her mind she somewhat forget about her outlook though she wasn't battered body and bloody face or tattered cloths she didn't change the cloths or wash her body so it should be expected.
'OH God, I came here like this what am I thinking!?' she lamented her stupidity she figured the other maids and Malar must have notice this she didn't want to figure out some rumor about her appearance spreading In few hours.
She forced a smile and she cleverly explained few surface stuffs and cover up things and with some truths Head maid became silent and her calm gaze made Vaani to fidget a little.
"I think we have to careful about few things here, it's important considering little Miss's well being stack now" her face was serious "Is she said it was Nightmare?"
"Yes! is there anything matter Head Maid?" Vanni asked leaning in, she was confused by her seriousness.
"I didn't dare to claim have medical expertise but I knew few things, in my free time I used to read lot of useful books. I was overjoyed when I learned how to read and write for the first time " her eyes were distant " Anyway what I'm saying is it was unheard for unconscious people to have nightmares or any kind of dream for that matter"
"I might be wrong but if what little Miss said true than we better be more cautious" her fair face was very tensed up and vani couldnt help but straighten her back.
Vanni couldn't tell where is she coming From or what is she implying she frowned as she think it deeply, there was a slight dissatisficarion and displeasure in her heart for now.
" What are you trying to imply...." her tone was neutral and tinge of displeasure could be felt. 'Did she suspect Megha or something.... but wasn't she just proclaimed she believe us'
Head maid had a placid look didn't seem bothered by the blonde's tone " What I'm saying is what happened to little Miss that day was different than what we think and something else at play"
"You are saying?"
" What if little Miss really didn't fall unconscious but some kind of evil arts put on her, I'll talk about this matter with sect leader. Don't worry nothing will happen to little Miss " she assured Vanni in firm tone.
Vanni bid farewell to the other party and dazedly walked out of the Maids Residental area her pale blue eyes little dim she paused and looked back particular maid quarters then speed towards the pondside courtyard.
In head maid's backyard the the plate of fruits and pot of tea untouched head maid motionlessly staring at the cherry tree her face was expressionless and her calm and gentle demaner nowhere to be found her eyes had an unreadable depth in them no one knows what she was talking.