[Celia's POV]
Celia stepped back and almost ran back to her room. Her heart was beating fast as she reached her room. So that was why Mrs. Gibson was not keen on taking any wine or food to the man. Now that she thought, they did look similar ― Almost the same height, similar sharp features, eyes that would make someone stare at them for hours, and even almost the same calming lilt in their voice.
Her brain was still processing the information, and with that many questions came up in her mind.
Was that why Lady Wilson let her be? Because he had revealed his real identity to her? But why would he? She did not mean anything to him.
Celia pushed her knees to her chest and wound her arms around them. Resting her chin atop her knees, she kept thinking. Why would Enzo… no Lucian hide his identity in the first place?
While thinking all this another thought struck her ― Had she unknowingly stepped into a chaotic household? It was good that she would not have to see Austin's beady gray eyes, nor did he have to be near his garlic breath, or have to look at his sweaty forehead where there would always be blonde hair sticking. The mere thought made her shudder, and to think she was almost about to marry… that.
What was now important was for her to find out if she was in more trouble or if she was safe. She got out of the bed and began to pace her room. She could not put herself in between a family feud because she needed to keep her hideous identity in the dark. About that…
She stopped pacing and took out the small pocket watch she had stuffed into the satchel. Unlike the Wilson's manor, this house did not have a huge clock. It was early in the evening. She had somehow forgone lunch and already so much had happened.
A knock on the door startled her. She reluctantly opened it. Mrs. Gibson stood outside, her expression carefully neutral. "Doctor O'Neil is looking for you. You will find him in the back garden."
Celia's stomach churned. Did he know that she had been eavesdropping? She nodded nervously. "I will… I will be right there."
She found him tending to the plant which she had touched earlier that day and her fingers had burned. However, he was handling it with ease.
"Doctor O'Neil," she said with a curt bow as she went to stand a few feet away from him. She kept her hands clasped in front of her, although they were sweating. He looked up and smiled. Now that she knew that he was sort of royalty, she couldn't help but feel slightly intimidated. The earlier Enzo O'Neil she knew was easy-going, but that could have been a disguise. It was probably a disguise. She did not want to get into a mess.
Lowering her gaze she asked, "You were looking for me?"
"Yes. Have you looked around? Are there any questions you want me to answer?" He asked before going back to snipping the buds of the Heart's Bane plant.
'I want to ask why you are living an ordinary life. Why did you choose me as an apprentice?' She thought in her mind.
However, she vocalized only one question, "Can you tell me more about the Heart's Bane? I will make notes on the other plants tomorrow."
"Very good. Keep up the good work." He gave her a genuine smile, which made her blush.
"Now about this plant," she said, tilting his chin to point at the Heart's Bane, "This one has a lot of advantages, such as curing most chronic illnesses, such as yellow fever. It can heal wounds, and is good for the old folks." Celia stared at the plant in awe.
"However," Enzo continued, "If the elixir from this plant is given in more than the advised dosage then it can prove fatal."
Celia nodded thoughtfully and then asked, "Can it be… allergic to anyone?"
Enzo narrowed his eyes as he tried to think. Then he shook his head and replied, "I don't think so. None of my patients have been allergic to it. Why?"
Celia shook her head vigorously. "Nothing just wanted to be sure."
Enzo nodded.
"Let us have dinner then? Have you had lunch?" He asked. Celia smiled nervously, "Ah… yes. And I will look around the garden a bit more. I will have dinner later on."
Enzo looked at her for some time before giving her a small smile. "Alright."
Once he left, Celia let out a breath of relief. She was perplexed by his behavior now. She was getting more and more curious. Now that she thought, Enzo never really gave her a clear answer. Yes, he knew her skill in sorting herbs and treating her colleagues when required, but… would that make him want her to become his apprentice?
She regarded the Heart's Bane. The beautiful purple flowers were so guilelessly beautiful. She raised her hand to touch before retracting. No, she cannot touch it now. What if Enzo saw her fingers or worse what if Mrs. Gibson saw her inflamed skin? She hurriedly moved around to inspect the other plants. She was looking at one particular plant where a butterfly was sitting on a plant with yellow flowers. Her eyebrows furrowed. This plant she hadn't noticed earlier. She went closer.
She frowned. It was probably late in the evening so why is a butterfly still around? And then her eyes widened in horror the small creature suddenly fell off the flower. She quickly went near and leaned down to inspect the butterfly. It was dead, and a very foul smell was coming from it. Celia stepped back, covering her nose.
She hurried away to report this to Enzo. If the plant he had been nurturing was a poison then it had to be handled differently. However, as she walked down the hallway she heard voices in the kitchen. She didn't think much until she heard her name being pronounced. She stopped in her tracks.
It was Mrs. Gibson speaking. She tiptoed back and listened.
"I am not sure what he is thinking and letting someone like her in this house. What if she comes to know―" Her ramble was cut off by someone shushing.
"Don't speak so loud. She won't know. The master must have had reasons. Let us see for a day or two." That was Fredrick speaking. Celia's heart was thumping in her chest.
Mrs. Gibson sighed. "I hope she doesn't meet the fate like the other one did."
"I told you it was not the master's fault. Do not speak ill of the master." Fredrick sounded annoyed. Celia decided that listening in on them more might get her in trouble. She gathered her skirts and stealthily, she made her way to her room. She will in no way seek Enzo now.