The young master is shining today like always. If I could just…maybe touch one strand of his luscious long blonde hair, I would never wash that hand again.
"Fati? You're drooling. Are you alright?"
"Thank you, young master!" I blurted.
"R-right…but, what are you thanking me for?" he stared blankly.
"Get it together Fati. Here. Eat some bread." whispered Clover nervously while shoving a piece of bread into my mouth.
"Apologies for her behavior, young master. She's not feeling well today."
I'd say she looks a little too well, perhaps even better than before.
"Brother!" exclaimed a familiar voice in the distance.
"Octave, Waynon, and Jeffrey. What are you three troublemakers doing in these parts?"
"We saw you playing, and we came to join you." Giggled young master Jeffrey.
Playing?
"You are well aware that you aren't permitted to play with them. Mother will be furious when she finds out you even treaded these parts."
"Can't we just make an excuse, brother?" pouted Jeffrey as he fidgeted nervously.
It was quite endearing to see them try to pull their brother's leg for them to obtain permission to play with us.
"Brother, I just thought of something. How about we practice archery and pretend that they are assisting us?"
Why are they so adamant? Were they not raised to hate slaves like their sister? I am very much confused by their behavior right now. Ivy and Clover were peering out from behind me ever since they arrived. They must be terrified of the consequences of being in the same space as them. As am I.
"If I may, young masters." I chimed in as I cleared my throat.
"Yes Fati, go on."
Due to the nervousness of having their gazes directed right at me, I forgot what I was going to say for a brief moment. My heart began to pound quite loudly as the young master's tender gaze pierced through my very soul. Why is he looking at me so warmly?
Pull yourself together Fati, this is no time to daydream!
"I-I don't think it wise to play with the masters. As slaves, we have rules that we must obey no matter what, and the consequences of breaking them will be ours to bear alone."
That's right. I don't want Ivy or Clover to go through what I did last night.
"Say Fati, your manner of speech is far from that of a slave. Are you certain you aren't from a fallen noble's family? Which country do you hail from exactly?" inquired young master Octave in a suspicious tone.
Drats! I completely forgot to alter my speech. I'm supposed to sound like a slave.
"That's enough Octave. Now then, fair maidens, how about assisting us in our physical activities today?" suggested young master Dimitriu with a smile.
+++++
After much discussion, we decided to play in the forest, far away from prying eyes. Ivy and Clover were enjoying their time teaching the other young masters the way of the forest. Whereas I was simply following their big brother as instructed.
"How are you feeling, Fati? Yesterday must have taken a toll on you. We scoured most of the city on foot after all."
"I'm fine, all thanks to you, young master. Thank you for saving me."
Saving her? Does she mean from his highness? Haaa…recalling that event is making me laugh all over again.
"Ah yes, his high-I mean Sir Nate can be rough around the edges sometimes, but I assure you he is a good fellow deep, deep, deeeeeep down."
"Young master is absolutely right." She giggled in response.
She continued to laugh, and somehow, I was enthralled by her cheerful expression. I don't think I've ever heard or seen anyone giggle this genuinely in my entire life. She's…beautiful.
"Young master Waynon, stop! Do not touch that mushroom!" she yelled while sprinting towards my little brother.
+++++
"I heard countess Jasmine is with child. How did you manage to conceal it until now? Hahaha!"
"Your majesty, we aren't here to discuss my personal life…"
"Come now Duke Dominique, we're family! Cousins to be exact. What's with the sudden secrecy? It isn't like no one knew of your beloved mistress."
I hid it precisely because I didn't want him to tease me like this. He's been laughing ever since I entered the throne room and hasn't ceased since. I came here to request the removal of his son from my property as soon as possible. Now it seems as though I won't be able to get a word in.
"You must know that Duchess Gwendolynn will be furious once she catches wind of this. In fact, I'm sure she's receiving a fair number of letters as we speak." He teased with a smirk.
Why do you think I kept it hidden in the first place?
"Y-your majesty, will you please instruct the crown prince to leave my estate?"
"Why? Was it not your idea to have him spend time with your daughter?"
"Your majesty, that was my wife's idea."
"Are you saying you don't want your daughter to marry my son? He's a good child with many qualities of the perfect husband material! Why do you refuse to accept him as your son-in-law? What's more, I heard that your daughter is practically infatuated with him!" he roared angrily.
"Y-your majesty you must keep calm." fretted his aides.
*sigh* This conversation is not unfolding the way I anticipated. I should find a way to end this smoothly before he collapses yet again. His health hasn't been the best as of late.
"Your majesty, I only have one daughter, whereas you have five, two of which are betrothed to my sons. Is that not enough?"
"Fine, fine." He sighed.
"I'm sure you have a lot on your plate right now. You may send prince Kazein back upon your return to the duchy. I will also expedite a letter beforehand to smooth things out with him."
Thank heavens! We finally reach an agreement.
"If that is all, I bid you good day, your majesty."
+++++
"Miss Fati, you are still squeezing my cheeks."
"Oops! My apologies, young master. I didn't mean to put my hands on you. I simply panicked and…"
"It's alright, I was not upset at you touching me at all." Interrupted young master Waynon bearing a frown on his face.
These children are so different from their mother, who supposedly raised them. How are they so good natured as opposed to their sister? I cannot wrap my head around how distinct their personalities are.
"I'm grateful for your steadfast reaction. Who knew there were poisonous mushrooms growing in this forest?"
"This one is commonly known as a death cap mushroom. It is so toxic that the smallest amount consumed by a child your age can lead to instant death."
They gasped as an expression of horror formed on their faces. This type of mushroom should not have been found growing here because of the climate. Spring is quite dry in this region, and summer is mildly humid. Winters are extremely harsh with the excessive amount of snow we get despite the lack of humidity. So why did it grow here, of all places?
"…ti! Fati!" yelled the young master.
That startled me.
"Apologies for raising my voice. It seemed you were absent-minded for a moment."
"I am very sorry, young master; I was simply worried about…"
"Shall we head back? I think we've played in the dirt long enough for one day. Mother will certainly throw a fit if she sees you all in this state."
They must have been startled.
+++++
After that day, the young masters came to play with us often under their eldest brother's supervision. That also granted me the chance to see him more, and God knows I will never tire of seeing his angelic face.
"Fati, he's here today as well." whispered Clover.
Sir Nate, however, has been helping us with our daily chores ever since that day. We bicker quite often, but we always make up the very next day as if nothing happened. As for the duchess, she was barely seen on the premises, which made me wonder if she went on some sort of vacation. Apparently, she did not. What a shame.
"What is that in your hand, Sir Nate?" I queried, pointing at the straw basket in his grasp.
"You mean you can't tell?"
Ever since he found out about my cooking skills, he's been frequently bringing us groceries from town. He dines with us quite often too. At this rate, he may as well just move into the stables.
"I brought quite a lot of meat today. The butcher was very generous."
Who would dare to be stingy with you?
He probably wants me to make that meat soup he likes so much. I initially declined his kind gestures, but our position didn't allow us much of a choice. I couldn't let the girls starve on my account.
"Meat soup! We're having meat soup today, aren't we?! Please say yes! Please say yes!" capered Clover with her arms dangling in the air.
"Clover, behave yourself!" scolded Ivy.
This is exactly why I can't find it in myself to send him away with the groceries.