Chapter 1- In the Kitchen

CHAPTER 1

IN THE KITCHEN

In the Kitchen of Pralletel Mansion, the kitchen was busy with the few heads surrounding the working table. At these certain hours maid and cooks were free to gossip around and talk about anything they want including the matters of the family they are serving. But there was unwritten rule that any issues that would go out from the walls of the mansion means severe punishment.

These hired individuals know their limits. What they see and what they hear they must bring it to their grave.

"Did young lady go out from her room?" Asked the assistant cooked named Mesh.

"No. it's been a month since she returned from England. Master and Madam were worried what might happened there." The servant named Prans replied. She was in charge of the lady that they talking about.

"Did she say anything when you are with her? What was her condition?" asked by the Head Cook Lavel. His forehead even more creased by the situation. He was with the Pralletel for forty years already and he knows very well what was happening inside and outside of its wall.

Prans just sigh. Even her as a new servant could not answer what was happening with the young lady. Everytime she was inside her room, the young lady was always in daze. Most of the time she was in her study reading books like she was finding something.

"No she didn't tell me anything. She just asked me some trivial things. Oh I remember she asked if there's a letter form Salviera arrived." Prans almost forgot this small detail. This was the very first question they young lady asked her the moment she stepped inside the mansion.

"Salviera? I don't know any of that family nearby but the Salviera's of the North." The young squire answered. She might not know anything but he almost memorized the estate and manors of Kingdom. It was a must because even though the Prelletel family is a mere Baron, but they have few business establishments across the states and information about these powerful families is important.

"How come the young lady was in contact with Salvieras? From what I heard it's a famous Dukedom in the North" A young maidservant asked in wonder.

"Either she had contact or not is none of our business. I guess your mouths must cease its work for now because the rest of the body cannot do its job while it keeps on chattering." They were frozen by the gentle voice they were so familiar with.

"Yes Butler Hepthym. We apologize"

"We apologize"

"We are sorry"

Each of them stated their apology. They knew very well what's behind the butler smile and calm demeanour.

"I remember that we are paid not to use our mouths. Prans I need to talk to you in private" Butler Hepthym said before he head out of the Kitchen. Butler Hepthym was at the same time secretary of Baron Pralletel. He was young and promising youth the Master pouched once he graduated from a humble university

"Certainly Butler Hepthym" Prans replied.

Prans shivered following the Butler. Their steps are the only sound can be heard down the corridor of the mansion. She was very nervous because this path was on the way to the Master's study which was prohibited unless summoned by the Head of the house Baron Tauren Pralletel.

The old Butler opened the double door with the Family's golden crest above it.

The room was nothing but shelves of books form its high walls. Few cabinets on the side contain the collection of stones purchased by the Baron Pralleter. Few Paintings were hanged on the wall with their noticeable frames.

The Master of the house was on the table with his eyes focus on the two large monitor.

"Ahem" The Butler declared his presence. But the man was still focus on what he was doing on the computer.

"Master Pralleter" The Butler finally called his master's attention. Good thing Prans could not see what Master was doing or else the he didn't know of the young woman standing behind could still respect the man she called master.

"Oh Hey you're their? Didn't notice you!" The Baron turns his head recognizing the Butler.

"Young Prans is here as you requested." The Baron stands up as he noticed that the young maid was trembling in front of him.

"Oh no! You scared again this young girl. No wonder you do not have a girlfriend at your age. Just tell me when you are free so that I can set a date for you." Tauren chuckled and teased the young Butler as he like he always did. Baron Tauren was never a strict individual. Hepthym always define him as a carefree and warm person.

"Master please set my vacation first" The Master laugh even more making small echoes in the close room. He knew that he was at fault why this Secretary of him was single until now.

"Oh this must be young Prans. Let's seat at the couch so that we can talk well" Tauren led the young servant to the couch which made the girl tremble even more. Did she make a mistake? Does the Baron will throw her now?

Before Tauren can talk Prans blurted his thoughts.

"I deeply apologise master! I will not talk gossip I the kitchen ever again, I promise with my life. Please don't fire me!" Her palm flew open expressing her grief.

"Oh Thym must scared you so much. Don't worry, Thym might look like that but he is a romanticist you must not be turn-off by his attitude, his good looks can compensate with it" Tauren tried to counsel the maidservant which made the girl puzzled thinking what was the Baron mean.

"Master..." Hepthym reminded the Baron to be direct of his purpose and formal with his conduct.

"Oh! Yeah... no firing will happen anytime soon I just want to know you what my daughter told you. I heard a little of it from Hep" At the question, the Baron turn seriously.

"Aside from trivial things, the young lady asked me of the letters from Salviera. I told her that nothing of the letters came addressed to her." Prans, the maid servant said.

Both Tauren and Hepthym were baffled by what the maid said. How can the young lady have in contact with the power from the North? From what he remembers Salviera are known from their great power and influence from the Royal family. It's next to impossible that they have that connection to a small Baron family form the South region.

"Did she ask you anything else?" the Baron asked.

Prans thought of this past month that she encountered the young lady. The two of them eyed the maid servant and noticed tiny hesitation from her.

"Come on, don't be afraid to tell us" Tauren encouraged.

"I don't know if it's helpful but there's this conversation a few days ago, but I think it's just my imagination" Prans dithered.

"Tell us, don't hold back" Hepthym said.

"There was one time half month ago the young lady asked me how was young Lady Francine was doing. The young lady was worried when she asked me that" told Prans. The two did not know what was wrong of the situation. It's normal to ask the status of a close friend.

"And?"

"But she said she was worried that Young lady Francine might do something dangerous knowing that her father was imprisoned of corruption" Prans sincerely told the two.

The two of them was so shocked.

"She told you that half month ago?" Baron asked cannot believe what he was hearing.

"Yes Master Prelletel"

The room was quitted for a moment.

"You must not tell these to anybody else understand?" The Baron told Prans with threat to his tone.

"Yes Master my lips were sealed until I die"

The two dismissed the young servant leaving them in the study.

"Did the young lady know something in the course of politics?" The Baron wondered.

"It's imaginable Master. According to my investigation, young lady isn't in contact of anyone else in the Kingdom ever since" Hep firmly believe. He had the young lady under his surveillance ever since even when she was abroad.

"Then how come..."

The two of them was puzzled thinking that no one within the circle knew that Baron Guiler was connected to the crime... let alone he can be imprisoned because of it.

How come his daughter knew half month ago... when the Baron Guiler was accuse and arrested just yesterday?