In a different part of the world, Nicol, a slender girl with brown hair and eyes, dressed as a maid, was diligently working. Her uniform was a bit worn, reflecting the hard work and long hours she put in.
"Nicol, come here. I need you to do me a favor," Mr. Marta called from the hallway, his voice echoing through the mansion's cold, marble corridors.
"Yes, Mr. Marta," Nicol replied, pausing in her cleaning to acknowledge him. She adjusted her apron and straightened her posture, trying to appear as composed as possible despite her exhaustion.
"What is this?" Marta inquired, eyeing the basket Nicol carried with a critical gaze. The basket contained a collection of bright, red apples, carefully arranged to make an appealing presentation.
"It's a gift for young master Leo," Nicol explained, her voice filled with a mixture of hope and trepidation. She had hoped that this gesture, though modest, would be appreciated.
Marta's face contorted with disdain. "How many times have I told you not to do that? The young master deserves something far better than this." With a scowl, Marta threw the basket of apples to the floor. The fruits scattered and bruised as they hit the ground, their vibrant colors contrasting starkly with the cold, gray marble.
Nicol watched in silence as the apples rolled across the floor, her heart sinking with each thud. She had intended the gift as a simple token of goodwill, a gesture to show her respect and affection for Leo. But her offering was met with contempt, and the sight of the broken apples mirrored her own shattered hopes.
Patrick, Leo's father, happened to be passing by and noticed the commotion. His sharp eyes caught the scene of Nicol kneeling beside the discarded fruit, her face flushed with embarrassment and her hands trembling as she tried to gather the apples.
"What's going on here?" Patrick's voice cut through the air, cold and commanding.
Marta's expression shifted to one of concern as she quickly tried to cover up her harshness. "It's nothing, sir. Just a minor mistake. Nicol was trying to offer something to the young master, but it seems it wasn't up to standard."
Patrick's gaze fell on Nicol, who was now picking up the apples with a sense of resignation. "So, you thought these apples were a suitable gift for Leo?" he asked, his tone laced with mockery.
Nicol's heart raced as she struggled to maintain her composure. "I thought it would be a kind gesture, sir. I wanted to show my respect for him."
Patrick's disdain was palpable. "Well, it seems your judgment is as poor as your choice of gift. Leo is a young master of high standing. He deserves more than such trivial offerings."
Nicol lowered her head, her eyes focused on the broken apples. She could feel the sting of Patrick's words, each one a reminder of her own inadequacies and the harsh reality of her position. Her background had always been a source of pain, and now, in this grand mansion, she felt like an outsider who could never quite fit in.
As she finished picking up the last of the apples, Nicol felt a tear slip down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away, determined not to show any weakness. She knew that in this world, showing vulnerability was not an option.
Patrick's gaze softened for a brief moment as he turned to leave. "Ensure that this doesn't happen again. And clean this mess up before the young master arrives."
"Yes, sir," Nicol replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
As Patrick walked away, Nicol felt a mixture of relief and sadness. She was left alone with the scattered apples, each one a symbol of her own unfulfilled hopes and dreams. She carefully gathered the remaining fruits and placed them back into the basket, her movements slow and deliberate.
The apples, now bruised and battered, seemed to reflect her own inner turmoil. She placed the basket aside and took a deep breath, preparing herself for the long day ahead. Nicol knew that her life in the mansion was fraught with challenges, but she clung to the hope that someday, things might change.
"Why does it have to be like this?" Nicol thought, her heart heavy with the weight of her circumstances. Despite the cold and the harsh treatment she endured, she remained determined to find a place where she could belong, where her efforts would be recognized and valued.
As Nicol resumed her cleaning, the shadows of her past and the weight of her present circumstances seemed to follow her, but she continued to move forward, hoping that one day, her perseverance would lead to a brighter future.
End of chapter 18