Looking towards Noelle, Daphne aimed the book in her hands on the table, "You're quite talented, Miss Noelle," she remarked, but that wasn't what Noelle needed to hear, what she needed to hear is if she would be given the job or not.
Noelle gulped. Not forgetting to apply her usual gentle smile, "It's an honor to hear you say that to me, Mrs. Giovanni. Thank you," Noelle appreciated, performing a gentle bow.
"Would you be able to cope with the work of the castle, with the present condition of your legs?" Asked Daphne as her eyes moved away from Noelle's face and down at Noelle's legs and staff.
"Yes, I would Mrs. Giovanni. The leg is not a problem. It would be the greatest honor to be able to work here and serve here in the castle," said Noelle's fake sweet voice as her pretty eyes showed nothing but complete naiveness.
"Very well then. By the way, call me Mistress from now henceforth," Daphne said firmly as she stared at Noelle with no clear expression on her facials. Which made it hard for one to tell what she was thinking.
Noelle could feel herself smiling. Although excited, still, she remained calm as she spoke, "Sure, Mistress. Does that mean that I've been given the—"
Interrupting Noelle was Daphne's solemn voice, "Yes it does. You've been given the Maidservant job."
Noelle hastily performed a trivial head bow, "Thank you Mistress, I won't let you down," she appreciated with a smile.
"I sure do hope you wouldn't."
Hearing this both Yvonne and Sylvester's eyes widened in spontaneous awe and bewilderment. Out of all the hundreds of Maidservants that always come to apply for a job here, who would've known that it was someone with a disability that would interest Daphne?
Indeed Daphne was a very strange woman.
Yvonne who was still overly amused and astonished by this, leaned closer towards her mother, "But mother she has a disability and can't—" Yvonne tried to explain in whispers to her mother but was interrupted.
"I know, Yvonne. You don't have to worry about that. It doesn't matter," Daphne stated firmly, which Yvonne didn't quite believe for anything. She felt that her mother was hiding her reasons from her.
Noelle didn't know if these people thought they were whispering to eachother, but she could hear them vividly and so could Sylvester who stood beside her.
She had a feeling that Yvonne might probably hate on her. Seeing how she was trying to convince Daphne against employing her.
Nevertheless, Noelle didn't care, and neither did it matter to her. All she cared about was her revenge, and the moment she gets it, she's escaping the hell out of here without a second thought.
Looking towards Sylvester was Daphne, "Sylvester, why don't you show her to the quarters. She can rest for today and start working by tomorrow. Also, discuss with her the price we would be willing to pay her. And send her some Maidservant attires too."
"Will do, Mistress," replied Sylvester with a slight head bow.
"If there's nothing more to discuss, then you may leave," ordered Daphne, and immediately after hearing that Sylvester bowed slightly.
Then turned towards Noelle who also swiftly made a slight bow towards the two women in front of her.
"This way, Miss Noelle," said Sylvester as he led the way and they both went out of the luxurious study room.
Yvonne watched them as they left. Still shocked.
Daphne on the other hand picked up the book she had been reading beforehand from the table, and continued reading it as before.
"Don't think too much about it, Yvonne. I have my reasons," Daphne stated shortly. Deeming it unnecessary to explain anything to Yvonne.
Causing Yvonne to only wiggle her head in disbelief. In a million years she would have never believed that her mother would hire someone like that.
"It's really hard to not think about it. But I'll try not to," Yvonne said shortly also. Taking that off her mind, she continued massaging her mother, which she had stopped earlier whilst listening to Noelle and her mother's conversation.
"Also, Yvonne. Before His Majesty left for work this morning, he told me that we needed more Maidservants here in the castle. That I should allow a few more to work in the castle. So I'm just following his orders. And that's part of the reasons I employed her," Daphne informed, which Yvonne still wasn't buying.
"Part…? So as I've suspected, there are still other reasons why you chose to employ her?"
"Yes, but it's not for you to worry about, Yvonne."
Yvonne heaved a sigh, "If you say so then, mother. I would never be able to understand you anyways," Yvonne replied.
Besides, it doesn't really matter. Yvonne trusted that her mother always knew what she was doing at all times. So Yvonne knew she shouldn't worry too much about it, then she continued massaging her mother's shoulders.
"Gently, Yvonne. Don't break my back," said Daphne as she cautioned Yvonne who couldn't give her a proper massage.
Yvonne chuckled, "I'm doing my best mother. Besides, if I don't apply a little bit of pressure, how would the back pain you've always complained of this days lessen then?"
Ignoring Yvonne's naughty words, Daphne switched the topic, as something else cascaded her mind. She glanced upwards at the clock which was hung atop the wall few feets away from them.
"It's almost evening. I thought Luster's preceptorial with Preceptor Gabriel always ended by afternoon, at two pm sharp," said Daphne in a confused manner. Wondering why Luster wasn't back yet.
Yvonne smirked, "The preceptorial must've ended by now, mother. I'm sure Luster must've been back. As you know, he's quite playful. He must be somewhere by now having fun. Perhaps in his room, or running around the castle," Yvonne explained nonchalantly, reliving Daphne of her unnecessary worries.
Agreeing with Yvonne was Daphne, "I guess you're right, Yvonne. I think I'm just worrying too much."
Ignoring that, Daphne then decided to focus back on the book she had been reading that was in her hands.
Few minutes later. A delicate nod was made on the door, and before Daphne or Yvonne could even say come in. The door was already opened impatiently, and the person's short figure already came into the study room equanimously.
It was Luster, Axel's eleven year old little brother. Luster rushed his little figure into the room excitedly and playfully. Carrying his leather made schoolbag firmly. He bowed slightly towards Daphne and Yvonne.
"Speak of the devil," Yvonne muttered.
"Good afternoon Mistress and to you too Auntie Yvonne," the young boy greeted the both of them with a firm smile.
Daphne smiled gently at the young boy, "Good afternoon little one. How was today's preceptorial?" Daphne asked Luster who had already taken off his schoolbag and was now carrying it in his hands.
"It was good, Mistress. As always, Preceptor Gabriel is teaching me well. And I'm learning a lot also. We did a practical today, and he taught me how to mold things with clay soil," Luster's excited voice stated. As he made his way towards a particular chair and sat down.
"Is that so?" Daphne asked, as though it interested her. Which it didn't, but just wanted to share Luster's excitement.
"But unfortunately Mistress, I couldn't bring it for you to see yet. Preceptor Gabriel said that it needed to dry first, so as to make it solid, and once that happens, then I can bring it home for you to see, and also show brother Axel too," Luster elaborated agilely, as he brought out some books from his leather made schoolbag.
"Well then, I'll look forward to that," Daphne stated in assurance.
Yvonne rolled her eyes, then she sighed, "Let me guess, Luster, you want me to assist you with your homework again this time?" she uttered, taking the words right out of Luster's mind.
Luster grinned sheepishly, simply because he had been busted already by Yvonne who knew him extremely well more than anyone else in the castle.
"Yes, Auntie Yvonne, please would you?" Luster pleaded with a hopeful and innocent pair of eyes.
Yvonne grunted, "Fine. Whatever… as soon as I'm done with mother's massage I'll help you with it. In the meantime, you can start doing the ones you know," Yvonne assured, besides she had no choice but to accept. She had to, if she didn't want to hear Luster's annoying cries and disturbing pleas to her ears for the rest of the day.
"Luster you must be hungry. Would you like to eat something first before starting your homework?" Asked Daphne, as she stared at him harmlessly.
Luster actively shooked his head, "Not yet Mistress. I'll eat later after I'm done with my homework."
"Alright then. Suit yourself little one," Daphne replied gently, as she watched the little boy focusing on his homework.
Meanwhile…
Somewhere in the castle was Noelle and Sylvester, walking amidst the luxurious corridor of the enormous castle.
Amused and bewildered Sylvester glanced towards Noelle as they moved away from the entrance of Daphne's study room, "I've worked in the castle for many years now, and I've seen Mistress refuse almost thousands of Maidservants from working here. Even those that don't have any sort of disabilities on them. But you've managed to win over Mistress' heart. Miss Noelle I must say, you're quite fortunate," Sylvester stated, still finding it hard to believe that Noelle had been employed, it appeared totally surreal to him.
Noelle smirked, "I guess I am," she said shortly, also exceptionally surprised that she was indeed employed today. Perhaps she wasn't as unfortunate as she thought she was.
"And I must compliment your playing skills too. Miss Noelle, you play quite wonderfully," replied, Sylvester's still bewildered tone.
"Thank you," appreciated, Noelle's sweet voice.
Noelle's eyes scanned the surroundings of the castle, at the huge chandeliers, and beautiful portraits on the wall and at the perfectly made interior decor.
She couldn't help but feel that the castle kept getting more beautiful with every step they took farther.
"Sir, I was wondering. Is His Majesty around?" Noelle asked meekly. Knowing that Sylvester wouldn't think much of her question, it was just a normal question. Besides, she wanted to see the face of whom she wanted to seek revenge upon.
As expected, not thinking too much about it, Butler Sylvester spoke firmly, "No, Miss Noelle, he has a lot of work to take care of out of town. He doesn't really often stay at the castle that much. He's a very busy man."
"Oh… alright," Noelle replied slowly, with a sluggish nod.
Staring sideways at Noelle.
"Miss Noelle, I'm sure you must've heard that His Majesty's wedding ceremony is coming soon. So there's going to be a lot of work around the castle soon. But I'll try to assign the less exhaustive chores to you, since your legs are in a bad condition," Butler Sylvester affirmed, and Noelle could sense honesty in his words.
"Thank you, Sir. You're too kind. And also I'm aware of the wedding beforehand, I've heard about it in town," Noelle smiled with a trivial head bow. Even her head was already starting to hurt with the amount of time she had to bow today, which she had never done before. It occasionally use to be the other way around before, but now she was the one bowing.
"The bride's family and people are expected to arrive at the castle by next tomorrow. I'm telling you this so that you won't be caught off guard," Sylvester explained and Noelle nodded in reply. Sylvester continued, "Also, Mistress told me earlier to discuss with you about the price we would be willing to pay you for the job. We will pay you a small sized gold coin and two silver coins at every end of the month. What do you think?"
"I'm satisfied with the amount. I'll humbly accept it every month," Noelle replied contentedly.
"Okay then. I'm glad to hear that, Miss Noelle," Butler Sylvester said. Then they soon stopped at a particular metal door.
"Miss Noelle, this is the Maidservants' quarters. It's where you would be staying from now onwards with the rest of the Maidservants in the castle. Since you would start working tomorrow. I'll advise you to please rest properly for today," Butler Sylvester advised.
"I'll do just that, Sir," Noelle nodded as she supported herself gently with her staff.
"Also, you can call me Sylvester from now on," Sylvester added with a slight smile.
"Alright, Sylvester," Noelle said, returning the smile Sylvester made.
"I shall take my leave then, Miss Noelle. I hope you do get along with the rest of the Maidservants," said Butler Sylvester, and Noelle smiled and nodded in response and Butler Sylvester left immediately after.
Noelle sighed groggily and entered in. Everything that happened today had already took a toll on her mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually, therefore all she needed now was to rest.
Upon entering in, as expected the quarters appeared beautiful, it was made to suit women tastes. And didn't look anyhow, shabby, or old-fashioned.
And also luckily no one was in the room, so Noelle would be able to enjoy her sleep freely on one of the multiple bed that had been placed there.
'I'm so tired!' she said inwardly.