"The treatment is done my lady, fortunately it was only heat bitten skin" said the physician hair tied to a bun, eyes losing their ease, slightly sweaty.
Well who wouldn't, with a man like the count staring daggers.
"Are you sure it won't leave a scar?" He asked with furrowed brows and ice cold eyes.
"Y..yes my lord, I give you my word". She answered.
"I hope so" he says his gaze shifting to me, to which I avoided.
My arms and neck were covered in bandages. It stung a little but, it was worth it.
A few minutes after they both left. The headmaid and four other maids came in heads bowed.
"My lady, these here will be your new personal maids henceforth, the previous have been punished for negligence of duty".
"Ah alright, "
"We are honored to serve you". The four spoke in union.
"Very well. I hope we get along well" I smile.
I noticed how Matilda stared, she may have sensed something different about her lady. She then turned to the maids.
"Serve her well" she said with a tone almost threatening.
Of course, she wouldn't have come out unscathed since she was the headmaid, it is her duty to have eyes on everything in the estate.
"Y..yes, mistress Matilda" they reply.
The doors creak closed behind Matilda. Finally they raise their heads.
"Now then why don't we introduce each other" I spoke softly.
Starting from the left.
"My name is Yuri, my lady"
She had short black hair, black eyes with slighty pale skin and was taller than the other three, she looked eastern.
"Rose,my lady"
Like her name she had rosy skin, brown braided hair, honey coloured eyes and lots of freckles.
"Nancy, my lady"
On like the others she looked slightly fearful, her brown eyes restless, her beige skin slightly sweaty and wore her hair in a neat bun.
"My name is Anna my lady"
Lastly Anna, with her dark hair in a ponytail, and even darker eyes that contrast her light brown skin.
"Well am sure you all know me, so let's just skip that" I said almost cheerful. "I have been wondering, since I wasn't allowed outside, do you know what happened to Ella". I added
All except Yuri went pale, she just stood there looking clueless.
"Uhm..s..she was punished deservingly" Anna replied.
"I know that, but what kind of punishment was she given" I pressed
Nancy got paler by the second.
"Won't you tell, I want to know in full detail what happened, Nancy?". I smile it's effect immediate.
"W..well his lordship the count ordered for all servants to gather behind the old annex, there Ella was strapped, then his lordship warned us b..before executing her" she faltered.
"Executed? How harsh of Uncle". I said quietly "I do hope nothing like that ever happens again" I noted.
Yuri was an exception, since she looks new to the place and hadn't react to all that's happened, keeping a straight face, but the others knew surely that Ella was no fool to do something like that and took what I said as a warning.
Execution is quite harsh, but since he hired all the maids in this estate anything that happens to me will seem to the society as his way of getting rid of me and nasty rumors about him might arise.
He took action solely to protect his dignity. What a crude man.
"Anyway it's quite hot in here, Anna?".
Anna rushes to open the windows.
"Am a little thirsty as well, Nancy?"
Nancy dashes to table in the room, pouring a glass.
"Hmm and a bit peckish too, Anna? Will you"
"At once, my lady" she runs out.
"And Yuri, be a dear and fluff my pillow" I smile softly.
Being a noble is that bad after all.
---
Three days later both redness and stinging had faded although it pinches when taking a bath.
Multiple hands were on me helping me dress. When finished I looked at the mirror.
A lavender gown patterned with soft florals draped my slender frame, layered neatly over white fabric, its ribboned collar and flowered sash giving the appearance of a cherished doll.
Nerissa was indeed beautiful. Long lush fiery red straight hair draping to the waist, eyes like polished emeralds with long lashes, rosy lips and soft ivory skin.
I was ready,...to meet Julian Fenwick, my fiancee.
I walked to the greenhouse, I could see him in the gazebo still waiting. As I approached I bowed and greeted.
"Well you certainly took your time, I waited three hours"
How rude, not even answering my greeting.
"If you had sent a letter prior your arrival, such inconsistencies will not have occurred"
He looked shocked, not surprised. The usual Nerissa he knew would have immediately apologized. Why, because she loved him, he was someone who gave her affection when it was devoid in her life.
Even though she could not see it was fake, he was trash, scum even. He committed infidelity, and she knew and did nothing for she was helplessly in love.
"I heard you were in an accident at the shore and almost drowned, how could you be so careless" he scoff.
"At least I was never careless with any man unlike a certain someone" I murmured loud enough for him to her.
His cheeks redded with anger. "What did you say!?"
"Hmm?, I said nothing" I refuted.
"Have you got water inside that head now, I clearly heard it". He almost shouted.
"It seems your under the weather as well, I suggest you leave and rest" I stand " Now then I shall not see you off" I turn and leave him dumbfounded.
I walk, the clacking sound of my shoes echoing in the hall way. That was close if I was with him any minute more I would have ended him there.
I can't give him an easy one.