Chapter 11
Luncheon
"Let's go in the kitchen. I'm really hungry," Cattie said as soon as they finished cleaning the library. Ara glanced over the wall clock to see what time it was: eleven forty-five. It's great timing to have their lunch.
"Yeah, we should. Come on, Ara," She nodded her head and got the cleaning tools beside the table where she had put them a while ago. The three of them went downstairs and walked in the long hallway again. Then, after a few minutes of walking, they reached the royal kitchen located on the second floor of the palace.
The kitchen is quite near to the helpers' chambers; it is easy to sneak out food at night. Ara grinned in her mind. Well, she will definitely do that.
Cattie opened the door for them to enter; as soon they were inside, they immediately smelled a delicious aroma coming from the food. It's a mouth-watering scent.
"Geez, our Mr. Chef is really a good cook. A handsome man with a talent; if I'm not waiting for my mate to find me, I'll definitely date him." Cattie mumbled dreamily as she inhaled slowly while closing her eyes. Maddie looked at her weirdly, while Ara just grinned.
Cattie's personality is amusing.
"Did you hear yourself, Cat? You always have a soft spot for a handsome man. That's so naïve of you, haha." Cattie glared at her.
"Shut up, Maddie." She playfully bitched out, which made Maddie burst into laughter. Ara shrugged and looked around. This place is wide and awesome. She saw a few maids in the area near the long table; there was a lot of food selection on the table.
Maybe they were preparing for the King's lunch.
"Is everything ready?" The three of them stood straight when they heard Mrs. O'Neil's loud voice. The maids assigned to lunch preparation formed into two lines. The three of them silently watched the scene, waiting for what would happen next.
Is there any occasion right now? Ara asked in her mind. Or is this how the king has his lunch daily? She continued.
"We're so sorry, Mrs. O'Neil, but three of us got sick, and they can't even stand up." One of the maids said. Mrs. O'Neil looked at the girl's direction.
"What? So sudden?" she pauses and takes a deep breath. "I can't force them to work when they are sick; I'm not that cruel. Okay then, is the table in the dining room ready?" She asked them all.
"Yes, madam." All of them answered.
"Good, just follow what I instructed this morning. I'll find ways to replace them temporarily. But this doesn't mean I'll let them pass. I'll talk to those three people tonight. Don't get lazy, move now!" All of the maids bowed and thanked her before moving to work again.
"Let's leave for the meantime; I have this feeling that we will work overtime if we stay," Maddie said and slowly moved.
"Yeah, I have the feeling, too." Cattie agreed. Ara chuckled lowly at their behaviour; they were avoiding being seen by Mrs O'Neil. Before they can open the door, Mrs. O'Neil calls the three of them.
Maddie and Cat frowned and cursed "Damn."
"Ms. Henley, Ms. Clarkson and Ms. Kelson, what a great timing. Get over here now!" She authoritatively commanded. The three of them can't do anything but come closer to her. There's a big smile playing on Mrs. O'Neil's lips.
"You heard the situation a while ago, right?" She asked while still smiling. Cattie looked at Maddie. She's signing her to deny.
"Actually Mrs. O'Neil---"
"Oh yeah, you three heard it. So, it settled then, the three of you will help the others in preparing the lunch that will be held ten minutes from now. Go ahead, be prepared and come back here immediately." Maddie and Cat force themselves to smile.
"But Mrs O'Neil, we still didn't take our breakfast, now our lunch? Is that so unfair?" Cattie asked with a cute smile; she even winked at Mrs. O'Neil.
"You'll have it after the lunch of the king. Is that alright?" She's still smiling, but there's a warning in her eyes. Cattie gulped hard and nodded.
"I have a question, Mrs. O'Neil." Ara finally talked. The three of them looked at her, "Yeah, sure, dear, ask right away."
"I'm new here, and I don't know the protocol when it comes to preparing the king's lunch. What exactly will I do?" She asked. Mrs. O'Neil blinked twice. Right, she doesn't have any idea.
"Oh, what you will do is just simple. You'll carry those," she pointed to the food and drinks above the table. "Then transfer it to the dining room. After transferring, you'll stay behind them and wait for their command. Basically, you'll assist the guest and, of course, the king itself." Ara nodded her head in understanding. Is that easy? No problem.
"You understood?" Mrs. O'Neil asks.
"Yes, madam." She answered, which made the woman smile. She clapped her hand twice.
"Alright then, get ready now. Don't even try to escape; don't worry, I'll add an extra penny to your salaries." Cattie grinned. From what she heard, Paulita was not that bad after all.
"We wouldn't dare, Mrs. O'Neil, we'll be right back soon," Maddie said and bowed her head.
"Okay, I'll count on the three of you. Hope you'll do your work properly. Don't anger any of them, got it?"
"Yes, Mrs. O'Neil."
Ara followed the two; they went inside the kitchen's comfort room. Ara washed her hands and face.
"I'm so nervous. What if I make a mistake in front of the king?" Cattie said while washing her hands, too.
"Me either, geez, the king's presence was enough to scare the hell out of me." Maddie seconded the motion. Ara let out a sigh and looked at them.
"Is he that scary?" She asked, which made them look at her. Ara's face was blank again; they didn't know if she was nervous or scared too.
"Yes, he's that scary. Only if you see him kill someone; it's very brutal. I remember when the first time I saw him kill one of the guards for disrespecting him, he slashed his neck using his bare hands." Ara wasn't new to that, and she had witnessed how he killed someone, not just someone but her whole clan.
Ara bit her inner lip to stop herself from reminiscing.
"So bloody. I'm not telling that to scare you, but that really happened." Ara nodded her head.
"No worries, I'm not scared at all." Yeah, she's not scared cause she hated him, loathed him so much.
"That's pretty new. You're the first girl I heard saying that she's not scared of the king. I admired your bravery, Ara." Cattie said to her.
"Well, a girl can lie too. I'm really afraid." She lied. Ara is actually calm right now, not feeling anxious at all. The two girls laughed at her response.
"Right, haha. Anyway, let's go now before Paulita gets mad." Maddie playfully said. Cattie laughed even harder. They really love to make fun of their Senior's maid's name. Ara just shook her head and smiled a little.
But that little smile on her lips slowly vanished when she remembered something: she would see her mate again.