Odessa
The sun rays peeked in through the space between the large drapes and reflected directly on my face. I turned away from the light and slowly opened my eyes.
"Morning already?" I grunted as I sat up on the bed. I stretched my back.
My little conversation with that lady last night replayed in my head, and I knew if I wanted to impress Marcel and be on his good side, then I needed to get to work immediately.
I said a little prayer, dressed my bed and rushed into the washroom for a warm bath. As I went through my morning routine, I hummed a tune. I loved the song so much, but I don't even know the words of the song or the name of the singer, I just love the tune and I hum it whenever I'm excited.
The day was fully awake by the time I got dressed, and I strolled down the hall to Marcel's mother's room.
I knocked and pushed the door open without waiting for her to ask me in.
"Good morning…" I greeted and walked over to her bedside.
She looked up at my face, and a soft smile sat on her face. I smiled back, taking her hand in mine and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"How are you feeling today?" I asked, and she looked away.
"Same as always…. Nothing new" she finally responded in her shaky voice.
Everything was going accordingly and I adjusted myself on the bed. "Do you want to experience something new?" I asked and she nodded softly.
"Alright then… let's run your bath and get you ready for the day.." I replied and skipped towards the washroom. Hers was twice the size of mine and almost as big as the entire room as well.
"Whoa…" I whispered as I walked over to the tub and filled it up with warm water and half a bottle of the lavender soap I found in the soap dish.
I went back into the room and met her already standing. "Your bath is ready, my lady," I said and stepped aside.
She walked herself into the bathroom while I ran my fingers through her clothes in the closet to find something for her to wear.
I finally picked out a red silk dress, embroidered perfectly with gold. I was growing impatient as I waited for her to finish and get dressed.
After what felt like an eternity, she walked out of the washroom in her bathing robe. Her skin was flawless, and if it weren't for the wrinkles here and there, it would be difficult to guess her age.
Her eyes were grey…. Just like Marcel's. Her platinum hair dropped down to her waist, and her steady steps spoke nothing but royalty.
"I already picked out a dress for you, my lady.." I said, and she barely nodded. I watched as she took her time to get dressed, and I offered to style her hair but she refused to let me touch it.
"Nobody, but Marcel, is permitted to touch my hair.." she warned, and I nodded.
She eventually got ready and I took her arm in mine, picked up her walking stick because we were going to be walking a distance.
"Let's go get some fresh air," I urged, and her eyes gleamed. Is clear she wanted to be taken out of this manor every once in a while, and I'll make sure to grant her that favor as long as I stay here.
"Marcel?" She called softly as we walked past the door, but I didn't say anything. How could I possibly tell her that I almost caused her to mourn her dear son?
All eyes were glued on us both as we walked outside, and I went to speak with the coachman..
"Can you take us to the fair?" I asked and he glanced over my shoulder where Marcel's mother stood behind. I turned to look at her and make sure she was the one he gave that odd stare.
"With her?" The coachman asked, and I nodded, lifting my brows in confusion.
"Is there something wrong with that?" I shot back, and he crossed his arms behind him. "You wouldn't deprive your master's mother the opportunity to see the fair at least this once?" I persuaded.
The coachman sighed deeply and gestured for me to help her in. I smiled and quickly helped her into the carriage, and then I joined her inside.
We left the manor, and my mind fluttered as I imagined the look on the faces of those kitchen girls when they got to find out that their dirty little prank backfired.
It took a while but then we eventually arrived at the fair and the crowd was mesmerizing. I thanked the coachman as I helped Marcel's mother down from the carriage and held her firmly.
"I'll be waiting at the entrance… meet me there when you're ready to leave," the coachman ordered, and I nodded.
"Shall we…" I led her to the different stalls, and her smile didn't fade one bit.
She was having a good time, so am I. This is actually the first time I've been in a place like this. I have only heard about something similar from Lord Garrison's children when we were younger. I always wanted to see it myself, and here I am having the time of my life.
"It's so beautiful out here", I said, smiling at my lady, and she smiled back at me.
We got to one of the food stalls, and one of the women there recognized her immediately.
"Lady Violet…" the older woman called, and Marcel's mother immediately lifted her eyes towards the lady, but not even a word left her lips.
"It's been ages, lady Violet–" the woman continued and other women focused on us. "We've been wondering what might happened to you.."
I watched Marcel's mother's face, but she remained indifferent. Her eyes were glued on the woman who spoke to her, but she said nothing in response and barely even acted like she knew who the speaker was.
"I'm sorry madam–" I interrupted and held her hand tighter.. "you might have mistaken her for someone else.." I said and turned to leave.
"Isn't that Marcel Edgar's mother?" One of them asked, but I didn't stop walking. If she didn't want to speak to the lady then I won't make her stand there.
"So it's true… those rumors about why he's been hiding her like a stolen princess up in his manor.." another chipped in, and I clenched my fists.
"Come on…" I muttered. "It's time for us to leave" I said and pulled her away from the crowd.
"Who was that lady?" She asked, and I shook my head slightly.
"Nobody important…" I replied and helped her into the carriage. We didn't stop anywhere else until we arrived at the manor, and just as we were getting down from the carriage, I caught sight of Marcel standing at the entrance.
The air was tense up and his arms were crossed behind him. His eyes were dark and his face was flushed with rage..
"Marcel…. You're up," I snorted as I led his mother into the house, but his expression didn't change.
"Dahlia… take my mother inside," he growled.