Beatrice opened her eyes, only to hear the sound of someone knocking on the door. Dennis, as usual, had already left for the office. "I hope it is not Sylvester." She muttered to herself, as she slowly crept out of bed. She opened the door, only to see Katrina walking further down the hallway. "Katrina!" She called out loudly. Katrina halted in her footsteps, before turning around. "My goodness, my lady." She said, as she exhaled a puff of air. "You gave me quite the fright, I have been knocking for quite some time now."
It took quite some time, but Katrina helped her to freshen up, and was currently holding a glass of milk, which Beatrice accepted with much revulsion. "Don't make that face, my lady." Katrina said, when she noticed that Beatrice was scrunching her face. "Fortified milk is good for you and your child, it aids foetal development as strengthens your bones as well." Katrina lectured. "Yes, yes, I will drink it soon." Beatrice said, placing it next to her bedside. She picked it up immediately when she noticed the glare that Beatrice directed at her. "You and Sylvester are so difficult." Beatrice said, as she took the milk down In one swig. "Tell me the reason why you won't feel nauseous, when you keep rushing your food into your stomach like that." Katrina said, as she took back the already empty glass. "You know one thing that I find ironical." Beatrice stated, as she leaned back on her bed. "What is it?" Katrina asked. "The fact that I couldn't even tell my mother that she was going to be a grandmother soon." She admitted, with a sigh. "Why not? I am certain that she will have been overjoyed." Katrina inquired, perplexed. "Because if I tell her, Dennis is bound to find out. My mother is terribly fond of him afterall." She confessed. "May I say something my lady? Although I am aware that it is not my place, I can't just help myself." Katrina asked, her face serious. "Of course." Beatrice permitted, wondering what could have made her so serious. "Are you sure that what you are doing is the right thing? Concealing the fact of your conception from the young master." Katrina said. "I mean, he is the father of the child within you, afterall. And what about the old Patriach? How will he feel if he finds out that you have been keeping such a thing away from him? What of when you enter the second trimester? Will you still be able to keep the truth away from them?" Katrina asked. Beatrice looked down at her hands, unable to answer. What Katrina did say was the truth, afterall. "I have heard you out, Katrina." Beatrice said, as she looked up. "It's just that, I am still afraid of how he will react. We were never intending to have kids, anyway. And he would have probably never had a child with me as well." Beatrice said, as she anxiously rubbed Her hands together. Katrina sighed. "It is alright, you can take your time, my lady." She said. "What do you say that we go out to get some fresh air?" She asked, with a slight smile.
"I see that summer is really having a nice effect on the flowers." Beatrice said, as she strolled down the garden. The roses had turned three shades redder, and they were releasing a pleasant fragrance. "Sometimes, I can't understand Dennis." Beatrice spoke suddenly. "What do you mean?" Katrina asked her. "These roses, they were planted and tendered by Diane with her own two hands. It makes me wonder... If he really hates his sister as much as he said he does, why didn't he get rid of them all?" She asked, as she plucked a single rose from its shrub. "I am not quite sure, my lady." Katrina replied. "Human nature is quite hard to comprehend, afterall." She added. The both of them continued on their way, Beatrice still holding onto the rose. As they both continued on their walk, they stumbled upon a familiar face. Two, in fact. "Ah, Gozek! Fancy seeing you here." Beatrice called out, to the taller, bulky man, who had apparently not noticed her. Gozek had to turn around, for he and the man by his side were walking ahead of her. "Good morning, My lady." Gozek greeted with his head bowed, placing his right hand on the left part of his chest. "Good morning, it's been a while." Beatrice said, as she strode over to his side. Her eyes widened when she saw the man who was by his side. "This.." "You should pay your respects as well, Xavier. She is the lady of this household, Beatrice Lewis." He explained. "Please accept my deepest apologies!"
The man exclaimed, with an exaggerated bow, compelling Gorzek to roll his eyes. "You are.. the man that I met at Anna's place, isn't that right?" She asked, but the man continued to Bow his head. "Ah yes, don't mind me, please raise your head." She hurriedly said, when it seemed like Gorzek was about to spank him. The man raised His head. "My lady is right." He said. "But, how come he Is here?" He asked. Gozek was about to explain, but a knight ran up to him, whispering something hurriedly into his ears. "Please excuse me, my lady. Something Urgent came up." He said, before turning to the Xavier. "Meet us at the training ground, when you are done." He said, before joining the the young man of before. "Wait! I.." Xavier began, before cursing underneath his breath. When he turned back to Beatrice, she looked at him warmly. "May I have your full name?" She inquired. "Um.." Xavier began, physical fidgeting. "There is no need to be so tense, you know. Alright, forget for a second that I am a noble lady." Beatrice said calmly. Xavier exhaled a puff of air. "My name is Xavier Herrington, my lady." He said with a bow, his demeanor much perfect than before. "I would sincerely like to apologize over what occurred at the physician's.." He began, but Beatrice cut him off. "That was a long time ago, no need to mention it." She said. "And your occupation is?" She asked, as she glanced briefly at his rough hands. "A blacksmith, my lady. Just doing the job to make ends meet." He added. "I thought so." Beatrice muttered. "Actually, it was Lord Sylvester that hired me here. I now forge weapons for the knights, and I get paid In actual gold coins. Five of them alone is enough to last my family for a week!" Xavier explained, his eyes shining at the thought of money. Beatrice felt touched at what Sylvester did. Even Katrina muttered her young lord's name slightly. "I got quite astonished when Mister Gorzek suddenly appeared at my house two days afterwards, honestly, I thought he was going to beat me up, especially when my wife informed me about who I nearly meddled with." He said. "Well, I won't deny that Gozek's physique is quite frightening." Beatrice said, with an awkward smile, as she thought of the huge, muscular, brawny man. "Since Gozek knew your house from the get go, it means that Sylvester must have gathered Intel beforehand." She analyzed. "By the way, I hope your son Is doing better now?" She asked. "My lady remembers.. Ahem, I meant to say he Is doing well now, thank you for asking." Xavier said, trying hard to please this noble lady. "I have taken a lot of your time, you better get going before Gorzek pulverises you." Beatrice stated, much to the bewilderment of the latter. She laughed heartily. "I am just kidding, he will do no such thing." She said, as when she saw the expression he made. "Well then, I look forward to your services, Xavier." Shs said. Xavier gave a light bow. "The honor Is mine."
"That man is such a talkative." Katrina mused, as the both of them went down the hallways. "As if you are not a chatterbox yourself." Beatrice teased. "My lady is so mean." Katrina said tearfully, making Beatrice to roll her eyes. They soon stood in front of a huge door, which Beatrice pushed open. Rows and rows of books immediately came into view. And at the far left, sat Sylvester, scribbling away with the utmost concentration. Beatrice walked up to him. "You didn't knock." He told her, without looking up. "How did you know it was me?" Beatrice asked, as she drew out a chair, sitting beside him. "Katrina, you do realise that she is not supposed to be lifting heavy items?" Sylvester ignored Beatrice, addressing the maid instead. "I am sorry, youngest Master, I was slow to react!" Katrina explained, as she hobbled over. "I was asking you something, Sylv." Beatrice said. "Your perfume." Sylvester replied curtly. Beatrice frowned, what was making this child do busy? She looked at books which were scattered all across the table, some of which turned out to be based on magic. "Magic? What for?" She asked, reaching out to one of the books, but Sylvester intercepted her. "For the fun of it." He stated. "I thought you read books for knowledge, not for fun." Beatrice stated. Sylvester gazed at her hand. "Is that for me?" He asked. "Not really, I just took it on whim, but you can have it If you want to." Beatrice said, as she dropped the rose on the table. Sylvester finally paused his actions. "You still barged in, nonetheless." He told her, as though demanding an apology. "It's not even your private library! I barge in all the time!" Beatrice protested, making Sylvester chuckle. "I hope you and the child are alright." He said, observing her facial features. "If I wasn't, I wouldn't have come here to see you." Beatrice said, with a slight smile. "Well, you do look better than before." Sylvester observed. "I came across, Xavier today, you know. You are a good person Sylv, really." Beatrice admitted. "It is simply tit for tat." Sylvester said. "We need his skills, and he needs money, I don't think I did anything if you ask me." Sylvester said, shrugging his shoulders. Beatrice only gave him a knowing look. "Anyways, you don't mind If I read with you, do you?" She asked. "Suit yourself."
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Dennis sat on his office chair, while staring at a letter he wrote, a smirk plastered across his face. "Cornelia." He called out. "Yes, my lord." Cornelia replied, although she was speaking from a heap of files. "Quit whatever it is you are doing this instant and come here." Dennis snapped. Cornelia abandoned the file heap reluctantly, before striding over to where her master was seated. Dennis tossed her a paper. "Read it." He said bluntly. Cornelia began to read:
My dearest Sariane, I hope this letter finds you in good
Health. It has been quite some time since we met at
Our usual spot. That stupid son of mine has placed
Me under strict surveillance, and I can no longer
Move as freely as I please. But You will Always
Be in my heart, and I will like I see you again. Let us
Meet at my residence at sunrise Tommorow. My son
Will be out by then. I have a special package for You.
Let us make hay while the sun shines. I have ordered
A carraige to pick you up.
From your Beloved,
George.
Cornelia's eyes widened. "Master, did you write this?" She asked him. "What a question, of course I did." Dennis replied coldly. "Well, the handwriting looks like that of the old head, and the letter smells like him too." Cornelia said. "Thank the old man's cologne for that." Dennis said, as his eyes drifted to the small bottle on the table. "I have hatched a brilliant plan in mind, and I can't wait to execute it." Dennis said, as he rested his hands on the table. "Do you care to tell, Master?" Cornelia asked her eyes glistening in anticipation. "You will find out In due time." Dennis told her. "For the time being, I need you to deliver the letter now. Keep the address in mind, and don't end up nearly killing anyone this time." Dennis said, while scowling. "Wait, this instant?" Cornelia asked. Dennis smiled at her malevolently. "Yes, this instant."
The sun was high up in the sky. Traders were haggling for their wares, and if one looked closely, they could see a woman dressed in all black, which covered her from head to toe, such that only her eyes could be seen. "He is working me even worse than one would work a horse!" Cornelia grumbled to herself. "Yet he refuses to raise my pay! Unbelievable!" She exclaimed. "But still, serving him is not that bad. He is handsome at the very least." She said, as she paused briefly. "Heh, I can't wait to see the mischief he will cause this time! I can't just wait!" She exclaimed, skipping for joy. She got to a bar, which was nearly choked full with customers. Instead of taking the front entrance, she went round the small building made of wooden planks and went to the back instead, knocking three times in it. A man with long Grey hair, a strand of white displacing itself, opened it. "Oh it is you Belladonna." He said, with a smile. "It has been a while." He added, letting her in. "I guess he told you the details?" Cornelia asked, cutting straight to the point. "Indeed he did. The target Is already here, in fact." The man said. "But you can't go in there looking like that, you will have to change your clothes first." The man said, handing her a waitresses uniform. "Honestly, don't you get hot in that clothing?" He asked. Cornelia's light brown eyes gazed at him coldly. "Leave." She said. "I want to change now."
In no time, Cornelia had already worn the waitresses uniform. Combined with her shoulder length black hair and light brown eyes, it looked elegant on her. She walked to the front, where she stood behind the counter. All the other waiters and waitresses gave her a curt nod as way of greeting, they knew her afterall. Though she hoped she could leave her quickly- it was hot, filthy, and crowded. The odors of people, combined with the stench of the place and the cologne of the people, nauseated her. Soon enough, the man who had given her the maid clothing earlier, walked up to her and whispered something in her ear, while passing her a tray full of cocktails. She walked up to the supposed 'target' a fat woman with a pinched nose, square face and too much makeup. The women who surrounded her also had too much Make up, but weren't as plump. "The old Patriach has weird tastes." She thought, while she served the women and her friends. "You must be new here- I haven't seen your face before." The woman observed. "Indeed, I am." She said, as she walked away, heading towards the entrance. "Wait a second, who is this letter from?" The woman called after her, after noticingthe letter which was secretly placed on her lap. Cornelia turned around. "Someone who has been on your mind for a long time."