The sun peeked through the curtains; Victoria was lying down and staring at the window. She couldn't sleep a wink that entire night.
She slowly sat up from the bed and looked at her feet dangling off the bed. She feels sluggish and tired, but it was her fault for not getting any sleep.
She stood up and walked towards the vanity mirror, checking to see if she had any eye bags. Thankfully, she doesn't have any, but she does look exhausted.
"I have to see Mrs. Johnson today," she says out loud when she hears a knock on her door. "My lady?" It was Alice. "Are you awake?" Victoria opened the bedroom door and looked at her. "My lady? You look like you have not slept a wink," Alice said in a worrisome tone.
"Please do not concern yourself with such matters. I only had a rough night; I would like to wear a white and purple floral dress." Victoria said as she let Alice inside.
Alice walked inside without a word. "My lady? Apologies for asking, but where did you put the dress and cloak last night?" She questioned. Victoria pointed under the bed, "I was in such a hurry that I shoved them under the bed."
"It is okay, my lady. It is good that you did that, or Robert would have seen it." Alice reassured her as she walked towards the bed, kneeled, and grabbed the dress and cloak that were under the bed.
Alice set the dress and cloak on the bed and went to the closet to get a white and purple floral dress and white flats. Alice set it down on the vanity table. "Let us get you washed up, my lady." The two walked to the bathroom, and Alice filled the tub with warm water and added some rose petals to the water.
"You are spoiling me, Alice," Victoria said as she began undressing. "I thought that you would need it, my lady. Let me spoil you for today." Victoria looked down and nodded. "Okay then."
She then stepped inside the tub and sat down in the warm night water while Alice started washing her with soap and a soft sponge. Victoria felt relaxed; she wouldn't mind sleeping right now, but she had to stay awake.
"Do you feel relaxed, my lady?" Alice asks while she moves to wash Victoria's hair. "I do feel relaxed," Victoria said truthfully.
"You knew I was having trouble sleeping all night, did you not?" Alice chuckled at that. "Of course, I knew. You are very easy to read, my lady." Victoria tilted her head back to look at Alice, who started rinsing the soap off her hair with water.
"Is that so?" Alice nodded. "Yes. I have been by your side since we were kids, my lady. I know that something has been bothering you ever since last night, and it has affected your sleep. I will do anything to help you feel relaxed, my lady."
"Thank you for always being there for me, Alice," Victoria said sincerely, and Alice smiled. "I live to serve you and you alone, my lady. Now, we are done washing you. Let us get you clothes and get ready to go visit Mrs. Johnson."
Victoria stood up, water dripping down her hair and body. She got out of the tub, and Alice got a towel, and began drying Victoria off.
They walked out of the bathroom and began putting undergarments on Victoria. Alice then helped her put on the floral dress and the white flats.
Alice grabbed the brush and began brushing Victoria's hair and then started doing it. Alice decided to give Victoria a curly braid and added some flower accessories.
"There you go, my lady." Alice said as the two looked at the vanity mirror, "Even in such clothes, you still look beautiful like a flower garden."
"You flatter me, Alice," Victoria said with a short chuckle and stood up. She then looked at Alice and said, "I promise you, once I get back, I will tell you everything." Alice shook her head. "You do not have to promise me anything. Once you are ready, I will be here to listen, my lady. Do not feel pressured."
"You are far too kind, Alice," Victoria says, looking down with a smile. "Not at all, my lady! I will walk you to the carriage. If that stupid butler comes out to start another useless argument, I'll punch him in the stomach!" She yells and flexes her arms.
Victoria laughed out loud, and Alice smiled, "There's the Victoria, I know. The smiling Victoria is strong." Alice then took hold of her hand. "Now then, let us get going."
The two walked out of the room, and they were able to make it outside the mansion with no incident. Alice opened the carriage door and helped Victoria inside the carriage.
"I will see you once you get back, my lady," Alice tells her and closes the carriage door. "Goodbye, for now, Alice."
The coachman sets off, and Victoria is on her way to Mrs. Johnson's villa. Thoughts ran through her mind: how was she supposed to start the conversation with Mrs. Johnson?
Should she begin asking about a journal that she could write in? Maybe she could bring up her mother's adultery and ask her what she should do. Should she start from the beginning?
She was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn't realize so much time had passed and she was already in Mrs. Johnson's villa.
The coachman opened the door. "My lady? We have arrived." He said, and she looked over at him, free from her thoughts. "Oh. I see. Thank you," she thanked as he helped her out of the carriage.
She thanked the coachman once more, walked towards Mrs. Johnson's door, and knocked a few times. She didn't have to wait long for Mrs. Johnson to open the door.
"Victoria, dear!" She gave Victoria a warm smile and welcomed her inside. "I read your letter, dear. Do you want some tea?" Victoria wanted to say yes. She wants to relax with Mrs. Johnson and enjoy some tea together.
Mrs. Johnson put her hand against Victoria's cheek and caressed it with her thumb. Her cheek was no longer swollen, but it felt nice having her hand there.
"My dear, you look exhausted. I am here for you, my darling Victoria." Victoria put her hand over Mrs. Johnson, closed her eyes, and felt relaxed.
"I have a lot to tell you, Mrs. Johnson. So much so that I could not sleep a wink." Victoria looked into Mrs. Johnson's kind brown eyes. "Of course, my dear. You can tell me anything," she hugged Victoria close.
"I can see the stress in your eyes; I will make you some chamomile tea." Victoria nodded her head and went to sit down, and Mrs. Johnson left to go make the tea.
She filled the kettle with water and put it on the heater. She walked back to Victoria and sat in front of her. "Take your time, my dear."
Victoria took a deep breath to calm her nerves. "I saw my mother kissing another man last night." She finally said what had been bothering her for hours.
"A lot happened the last time I met you, Mrs. Johnson. Mother arranged a marriage for me and Prince Claude. Father came home yesterday morning. Father and mother fought the entire day. The butler is the same as over. Mother kept leaving every night for months, and I thought she would stay home. So I looked for her last night and saw her kissing Mr. Thyne." Victoria was speaking quickly, her nerves refusing to let her talk calmly.
Mrs. Johnson put her hand on top of Victoria's hand and said, "Everything is alright, Victoria." She said gently, "I do not know how to tell my father, Mrs. Johnson. What should I say? Father loves mother very much, and I do not have proof of her adultery. What if Mother loved Mr. Thyne this entire time?"
Mrs. Johnson chuckles, "You are a very kind child, Victoria." Victoria shook her head, disagreeing, "I am an awful child who fights with her mother and is holding this terrible secret from everyone."
"No, my dear. You are very kind. You still want to believe in your mother and give her the benefit of the doubt. You do not want to hurt your father without any proof. Victoria, you are a sweet and kind child who cares about everyone." Victoria wanted to hug Mrs. Johnson and cried. Cry like a young child again who clings to her mother.
"I am always on your side, Victoria. I know that you are a good girl who loves her parents very much." Victoria appreciates Mrs. Johnson. She loves her so much, like a grandmother.
"Thank you," she whispered, looking down at her lap, trying to hide her tears. "Thank you so much, Mrs. Johnson." She cried while Mrs. Johnson put her hand on top of Victoria's head. "Of course, my dear."