Not in the mood to scrub the ceiling, Violet headed out, her heart racing as she rehearsed the excuse she'd offer Cain. "I went looking for you! I'm your assistant—I should always be by your side!" she mumbled to herself, repeating it like a mantra. Her steps faltered as she made her way to her tiny room in the servants' quarters on the ground floor, where she and a few others who worked in the main mansion were housed.
Her stomach growled, reminding her she hadn't eaten in hours, but the itch of sweat and grime on her skin overpowered her hunger. Violet grimaced at the thought of the layer of dirt clinging to her after the day's work. She felt like she'd rip her skin off if she didn't bathe immediately. Quickening her pace, she hurried to her room, desperate to clean up and change before returning to her duties.
