It has been a few days since Kamora began working as Jarosh's personal maid. The day before she fully started her new job, Petal had held her tightly and cried as she packed her clothes. It had always been the two of them since they arrived, both having each other's back. But now, Kamora would have to move to the upper floor where the young lord resided.
'I would miss you,' Petal said, hugging her close.
'I would miss you more,' Kamora replied, sniffing.
Later that day, with her small luggage ready in her hands, Kamora made her way to the upper floor. After moving into the room where the upper floor maids rested, she headed straight to Lord Jarosh's room to begin her chores.
It hadn't been easy.
Lord Jarosh made her do everything. From making different delicacies for him to going several times around the manor's garden—no small task—because he wanted some fresh air, to trying to find out if his father was available or not. Fortunately, the main Lord of the manor hadn't been around. She didn't know how to face him.
Her dreams had become more aggressive. She kept hearing Lord Maroke's voice, but she never saw his face. She always found herself in a dark room; the lack of light evident in the fact that she could not see anything around her, not even herself. The only thing surrounding her was the voice of Lord Maroke, and his voice was always loving, deep, and sensual—far from the indifferent way he had spoken to her the previous day. She always woke up feeling strange, the feeling familiar yet foreign.
She was currently in Jarosh's room, both of them going over his educational assignments. He had just finished his lesson with the young scholar assigned to him and was currently grumbling about the tons of work he had left to complete.
"It is for your own good," Kamora said, trying to placate him. "You have to become extremely smart since you are going to take over from your father one day."
"But I do not want to," he groaned. "Everything is so hard."
Kamora smiled, her heart softening at the adorable attitude he was expressing. Jarosh only ever behaved like that in front of her, and while she was honoured, she wished he could be more free in living as a child.
'Okay then, how about this?' She and the young lord were seated by his study table, and so she shifted closer to him to gain his attention.
'If you are able to finish all of these,' she said, throwing a sharp glance at his assignments, 'then I'll make any food of your choosing.'
He shook his head. 'I want something else,' he said.
'What do you want?'
His gaze turned calculating, and then a mischievous smile appeared on his face. 'I want to go to the commoners market!' he exclaimed. 'I am sure there are a whole lot of other foods I am yet to try there.'
'Young Lord!' Kamora exclaimed, trying to look outraged—but failing. 'You are a young noble. You can't be seen in places like that?'
'Why not?' he frowned, curious.
'Well, nobles do not bother themselves coming to a place like that,' Kamora answered after trying hard to come up with an answer. 'If you need anything, I can always get it for you.'
Jarosh pouted. 'But I want to go there myself.'
'I doubt your father would agree to this,' Kamora said, hoping that it would put an end to the topic. But the young lord huffed, his expression snub.
'Leave him to me. I can take care of him. You just have to promise to take me there when I finish all these assignments.'
Kamora sighed. Knowing that his father wouldn't agree anyway, she nodded. 'Okay then. I agree.'
His grin widened, turning her heart to mush. Before she knew it, she stretched out her hands and pinched his cheeks.
'You are very adorable, my lord,' she said. Jarosh's face reddened, and he quickly turned to study his assignments.
'Let's get on with it,' he said, his voice shy. Kamora smiled and watched as he began his work.
Time flew by, and Kamora didn't know for how long they stayed there. Just as Jarosh was done with his assignments, the door to his room gently opened and in walked his father, looking regal in the dark coat he had adorned.
Kamora quickly stood up and bowed. 'Welcome back, my lord,' she greeted, then rose up to look at him. He hummed in response, taking a quick glance around the room before bringing his sights back to them. His eyes went to his son, then her, and then back to him.
'You have been busy,' he said, still remaining by the door. Jarosh stood up from where he sat, happy to see his father though confusion also lined his eyes. 'Welcome back father,' he said, walking up to him. 'You returned quiet early today.'
'I had some work to do at home,' he said, his eyes fleeting back to Kamora. 'What have you been up to?' He finally left his position by the entrance but not before closing the door, and then made his way over to the table—where Kamora stood. The closer he moved towards her, the harder her heart beat. She could feel a flush appearing on her skin and she prayed to the heavens that he didn't see it. His son followed right by his side, taking a seat on the chair he had previously occupied, while his father sat on the one Kamora sat on earlier. Their proximity was extremely close, and so Kamora moved a few feet away from him. The action caused him to look at her, making her heart lodge in her throat.
'We did all the assignments my teacher gave me,' Jarosh said, bringing his father's attention back to him. 'Kamora helped me with it.'
Lord Maroke simply hummed, not saying anything else as he glanced through his son's work lying on the table. An uncomfortable number of seconds passed before Jarosh finally asked.
'Father? Why are you here? Is something wrong?
At that, Lord Maroke looked at him, his face not betraying any emotion. 'Why? Can't I come to see my son?'
The response was so strange coming out of his mouth that Kamora had to do a double-take just to see his expression. Not surprisingly, his face betrayed none
Jarosh was also surprised, seeing as the way his eyes widened slightly at his father's confession. She watched his eyes brighten with happiness, and to her utter dismay, watched as he quickly tried to tamp it down.
Jarosh looked at her, and the happiness he tried to hide was quickly replaced by mischief.
'Father,' he started. 'Kamora made me a promise.'
Oh no. He can't possibly be asking him now.
'She said that if I were to complete my assignments, she would take me to the commoners' market.
'Did she now?' Lord Maroke said, turning his full gaze on her. The intensity of his stare made hairs rise up on her skin, and she gulped, about to give her excuse when Lord Maroke then said,
'Sure. I will allow it.'