Music recommendation: A summer morning by Jef Martens.
Viktor's fingers wrapped around her hands, sending shivers down her spine. He gently removed the handkerchief she had used to wrap the cut. His finger gently brushed the cut, and Heidi winced in pain.
"It's quite deep," he said, his gaze still on the cut. "Why would you think of picking the glass with your hands? It's not like they are made out of iron."
Heidi gulped softly, her gaze fixed on him. " I wasn't thinking straight." She quickly said, knowing that no noble lady would bend to pick the glasses. She was suddenly grateful to Mrs Doris for not letting her do menial works. Viktor would have caught her if her hands were calloused or rough.
Viktor's gaze shifted from the cut to her eyes. First, she had pulled him into the water along with herself, and now this. "This needs to be bandaged." He said, bringing his gaze back to the cut.
Heidi watched as he pulled out a band aid from his pockets. Her eyes followed his movement as he opened the band aid before handing it to her. "Put the band aid on it, and don't go playing supergirl."
Heidi smiled a little at his words. "Thank you." She muttered, taking the band aid from him. It's not like she was expecting him to put it on for her but she was still thankful. She doubted she would ever understand his actions, his personality changed with every passing second.
As Heidi put the band aid on, Viktor's gaze never left her. Her hands trembled a little, feeling nervous from his watchful eyes. She heaved a sigh of relief as she finally put the band aid on.
Just then, a burst of colorful lights illuminated the sky. Fireworks exploded above them, casting a magical glow over the garden.
Heidi gasped, her doe like eyes widening in wonder. "Oh, look!"
Viktor's gaze fell on the fireworks shooting in the sky, before drifting back to her. She looked like a little child right now, Viktor thought. He smiled in amusement as he watched her eyes widen in fascination, his gaze falling on her parted lips.
"It's just fireworks." He muttered, his tone low and calm.
"I know, right?" Heidi said, her voice filled with excitement. "It's so beautiful, I should make a wish."
Viktor raised his brows, his head slightly tilting in question. "A wish?"
Heidi nodded excitedly, a smile spreading across her lips. "Someone special once said that if I make a wish while fireworks are up in the sky, it would come true."
Viktor chuckled, a sad smile on his face. "Funny how someone once said that to me."
Heidi's reluctantly tore her eyes from the fireworks to look at viktor. "Did you make a wish?" She asked.
Viktor hummed in response. "It never came true." He said, his tone low.
Heidi's smile fell at his words, but she managed to put the smile back on. "You should make another one, it might come true this time."
A sly smile played on viktor's lips as he said, "none for me, lady Adelheid. You should make your wish before the fireworks end."
Heidi considered him for a while before nodding her head, raising her gaze to look at the fireworks. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before making her wish.
As Heidi opened her eyes, viktor's gaze was still fixed on her, his gaze burning with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat. The fireworks continued to explode above, casting a kaleidoscope if colours across their faces.
Heidi was relieved that viktor didn't ask her what she had wished for. She had wished that her and Mrs Doris would be free from the crane castle one day. The fireworks finally fizzled out, and Heidi yawned, feeling the weight of the day's events. Viktor noticed her fatigue and offered, "Would you like to return to your chambers?"
Heidi hesitated, not wanting to offend him. "Not at all," she whispered, trying to hide her exhaustion. Viktor chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Says someone who just yawned a while ago."
Heidi's cheeks flushed as she realized he had heard her yawn. "I-I'm only a bit tired, I'll stay a while longer," she protested, but Viktor was already standing up.
"I'll take you to your chambers, Lady Adelheid," he said, his tone gentle but firm. Heidi nodded, unable to refuse further. She walked beside him, her hands clutching her gown, feeling a mix of relief and disappointment that the evening was ending.
As they walked along the garden floors into the castle, Heidi noticed that most of the guests had returned to the castle. There were just a few people, scattered across the garden.
"I'll go on my own, your Highness." Heidi said. She had no chambers apart from the slave quarters. she couldn't risk letting Viktor find out she was a slave.
"Why?" Viktor asked, his eyes narrowing as he regarded her.
Heidi laughed nervously, not failing to notice the suspicious in his copper green eyes. "I-I have bothered you quite a lot this evening, you should rest. I can take myself to my chambers." She said, praying he wouldn't insist further.
Viktor sighed softly, nodding his head at her words. "Alright, be careful lady Adelheid. I'll see you tomorrow."
Heidi bowed, as she watched him disappear into the darkness. She quickened her pace as she walked back to the slave quarters. She didn't want to change the gown into the normal slave gown, as she was trying to minimize the usage of the gown. She had been lucky enough to fall into fountain water today and there were still two days left for the celebration.
She walked stealthily into the slave quarters, there were no slaves there as everyone was busy because of the celebration. She sighed in relief as she walked into the laundry room, where the slaves hung their washed gowns. She took a gown from there, before moving on to remove the gown she was wearing.
Her hands undid the laces as quickly as possible, before any one would come in. After what felt like forever, the lace finally came off and the gown pooled at her feet. As soon as she took off the gown, the fabric shimmered into an ordinary plain white gown. Heidi quickly put on the slave gown, removing the pins from her hair before tying it into a bun.
"Ah, there you are, Heidi! I've been searching everywhere for you," Rosie exclaimed, her voice warm and familiar.
Heidi froze, her heart racing as she hastily concealed the white gown behind her back. She turned to face Rosie, forcing a bright smile. "I just got back, Rosie! I've missed you all day."
Rosie chuckled, closing the distance between them. "I've missed you too, Heidi! I bet working in the celebration hall was a treat."
Heidi's laughter sounded nervous even to her own ears, guilt gnawing at her for deceiving her friend. "Believe me, Rosie, my day has been incredibly stressful."
Rosie's eyes sparkled with curiosity, but Heidi hoped her friend wouldn't pry further. She didn't want to lie to Rosie, but she couldn't reveal the truth about her encounter with Viktor either.
"Nonsense, Heidi." Rosie chimed. "I was only able to get a glimpse of the first prince, and I felt my eyes would peel off at his heavenly face. Meanwhile, you were able to see him all day."
"I guess that is supposed to be a good thing." Heidi muttered. She wondered how Rosie would react if she found out she had also danced with him, fell into the water with him, wore his tuxedo and watched the fireworks display with him.
"I heard a certain lady had caught his attention, lucky her." Rosie said, disappointment slightly evident in her voice.
Heidi bit her lips unconsciously. "Rumors sure spread really fast." She whispered, her voice barely audible.
Rosie's eyes fell on Heidi's hand that was hidden behind her back, and her brows raised in question. "Your hands are shaking, Heidi. Are you okay?" . She said, closing the distance between them.
Heidi felt her smile falter, she didn't realize her hands were trembling behind her.
"What is that behind you?" Rosie asked, making Heidi's heart race even faster.
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I sincerely apologize for the late update. I've been busy as hell, barely having time to sleep. Do bear with me....