Heidi hastily walked back to her quarters, not daring to look back. Heat crept up to her cheeks, her mind reeling from her encounter with viktor. She bit her lips unconsciously, the warmth of viktor's fingers still lingering on them.
Heidi didn't know what to make of viktor's actions, which never ceased to surprise her. She dropped the bedsheets in the laundry room, her hands still shaking slightly.
Heidi approached the worn mirror used by the slaves, its surface reflecting her flushed face. Her eyes widened, and her finger instinctively traced the warmth left by Viktor's touch.
She quickly retreated her finger from her lips, realizing what she was doing. Heidi took a deep breath, an attempt to gather her thoughts.
She placed her hands on her flushed cheeks, patting them gently before heading to her room. As she hastened toward her quarters, a familiar, weak voice called out to her.
"Heidi, dear, wait!"
Mrs. Doris, who had been searching for Heidi since she awoke, beckoned from the doorway leading to their room. Heidi's eyes widened in surprise and concern as she rushed to Mrs. Doris's side, supporting the older lady by the hand.
"Mrs. Doris! You're... you're up!" Heidi exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. Her eyes scanned the older woman, looking for any sign of weakness or fatigue. The warm glow of the lanterns highlighted Mrs. Doris's frailty, but her eyes sparkled with renewed vitality.
Heidi hugged Mrs. Doris tightly, snuggling into the motherly warmth she had missed so much. The gentle creases on Mrs. Doris face seemed softer, her eyes shinning with gratitude.
"I'm glad that you're fine now, Mrs. Doris. I don't know what I would have done if the flower didn't work," Heidi said, her voice trembling with emotion.
Mrs. Doris smiled, patting Heidi's hair with her free hand. "It's all thanks to you, Heidi. Whatever you gave worked like instant magic." She paused, pulling back from Heidi before continuing; "When I woke up again, I felt like a new person. Thank you, Heidi, for being such a sweet girl."
Heidi smiled, her hands still holding onto Mrs. Doris's. "I'll do anything for you, Mrs. Doris. You and Rosie are the only family I have."
Mrs. Doris's smiling expression changed, her brow furrowing with concern. "As much as I'm happy, Heidi, I hope you haven't done anything reckless for my sake." Her voice was laced with a hint of worry.
Heidi clicked her tongue, a bright smile on her full lips. "You worry too much, Mrs. Doris. I assure you, I'm not in any trouble." However, a flicker of unease danced in her eyes, betraying her confident words.
Mrs. Doris shook her head, her gaze following Heidi's expressions. "I still wish to know how you came across such a drug."
Heidi sighed internally, knowing Mrs. Doris wouldn't let her off the hook so easily. "I got it from the royal family during the celebration, a kind of gift for my hard work." The lie slipped smoothly off her tongue, but her conscience prickled.
"Really? The royal family gave you the flower?" Mrs. Doris asked, her voice filled with surprise, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Heidi nodded, forcing a strained smile. Besides, she reasoned, didn't she get the flower from Viktor? Viktor was a member of the royal family, so it wasn't exactly a lie... was it?
Mrs. Doris's face lit up with gratitude. "I should thank the Queen Mother and Lady Genevieve for such kindness toward a slave like myself." Heidi's heart skipped a beat.
She laughed nervously, the sound echoing through the quiet room. "That won't be necessary," she said quickly, her palms growing sweaty. "I already thanked them. Besides, the Queen Mother says you should get more rest." The words tumbled out, a desperate attempt to deflect.
Mrs. Doris nodded, still taken aback by the unusual kindness from the royal family. "Alright, if you say so, Heidi." Her eyes, etched with happiness, sparkled in the dim candlelight, oblivious to the web of deceit.
As they walked toward their quarters, Mrs. Doris raised her brows, remembering why she had gone in search of Heidi. "Where were you, Heidi? The other slaves had retired for the night." Her voice trembled with worry, the castle's eerie silence amplifying her unease.
Heidi's mind briefly wandered to Viktor, her thoughts hidden behind the smile on her face. "I was taking the last pile of bedsheets to be washed into the laundry room," she replied, her tone light.
The lines on Mrs. Doris's forehead deepened, her voice filled with concern. "You shouldn't walk around the castle floors by this time, Heidi. I heard about what happened with the king. The castle is unsafe right now." She glanced around nervously, the shadows cast by the flickering candles seeming to grow longer.
Heidi offered Mrs. Doris a small, reassuring smile. "I'm aware of that, Mrs. Doris. I promise to be careful. Besides, the guests are leaving tomorrow, and the castle will be back to normal." Her words were laced with a quiet optimism.
Mrs. Doris's expression softened, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Alright," she said, dragging Heidi along with her into their little room.
As the night's shadows dissipated, morning dawned swiftly, casting a warm glow over the castle. Sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows, painting vibrant hues across the stone floors. The air vibrated with the gentle bustle of servants preparing for the day's departure.
In the grand courtyard, guests milling about, exchanging farewell pleasantries. Horses' hooves clattered on the cobblestones as carriages were readied for departure. The atmosphere hummed with anticipation, relief, and a hint of exhaustion. The atmosphere was a bit somber due to the incident of the previous night.
Heidi walked along the castle floors, a bright smile on her lips. She was glad that the celebration had come to an end, and she could return to her daily routine.
She couldn't wait to get back to Rosie, as she had missed her friend a lot during the celebration. Her mind went back to Charlotte and Anna. Heidi let out a soft sigh, knowing she would miss the sisters a lot.
She approached the door of their room, to check if their luggages were intact. She knocked on the door and heard a melodious voice call her in from inside. Heidi's eyes widened in surprise on entering the room.
Charlotte and Anna were not dressed! They were infact sitting on the bed and relaxed.
Heidi bowed, her gaze scanning the room for any sign of luggage, but the space was eerily empty. Soft morning light streaming through the windows highlighted the absence of trunks and travel bags. She took a deep breath, considering that their belongings might already be outside, loaded onto the carriages.
"You're not dressed, miladies," Heidi said, her voice laced with concern, "the carriages will soon leave." Her eyes remained fixed on the floor, awaiting their response.
Anna's melodious laughter filled the room, and she glided toward Heidi, her movements fluid. "I would miss you terribly, Heidi. Although, I'm sure Charlie would miss someone else even more." Her gaze drifted to Charlotte, a mischievous spark dancing in her eyes.
Charlotte rolled her eyes, a delicate blush rising to her cheeks. "I think it's time we considered removing your tongue, Anna." Her voice was laced with playful warning.
Heidi's brow furrowed, still confused by the sisters' unconventional behavior. "I would miss you both too, but you're not dressed yet." Her words hung in the air, awaiting a response.
Charlotte and Anna shared a look before turning their gaze towards Heidi. "We aren't leaving, Heidi." They said in unison and Heidi felt a nerve pop up in her head.