Chapter 10, part 2

I secretly wiped my clouded eyes and turned my attention back to Brielle's conversation with Alma.

"It doesn't matter. As he wishes. Maybe he will do us the honor of his presence some other time." Brielle replied, showing understanding of the captain's habits, and then she continued.

"My maid Serena and I will be grateful to him for the rest of our life only that he agreed to take us with you on the trip. We don't require any additional care or attention. We don't want the captain to worry about us, he already has several worries in his mind."

"Okay, my Lady, I will mention what you said to the captain."

"No, no please don't do that. I just mentioned it to you. When do you want us to come for the meal?"

Brielle asked her only with the hope that the previous issue would be forgotten.

"Now. My mother is setting the table now we are talking. She is waiting for us to go so that she can serve the food on the plates ".

"Okay, so let's go all together," Brielle said and got up. She headed to the door approaching Alma.

"Serena?" Brielle addressed me.

"Yes, my Lady?" I answered, looking at her.

"Follow us. As you heard, you are also invited."

"Yes, my Lady," I answered and approached them.

Fortunately, Brielle spoke to me because I wasn't aware of how to act as a maid.

Should I follow them without being told anything or not? Brielle, fortunately, had taken me out of the predicament.

The corridor leading to the kitchen was narrow. It could only hold one person.

So Alma went ahead, leading us, Brielle was behind her, and I was following Brielle.

Before we even reached the door of the captain's cabin, my heart started pounding and started to race as we passed outside.

I pressed my hand to my chest to calm it down and swallowed hard. I knew that I couldn't continue like this. I was already terrified at the thought that someone could find out my secret. Would I become the laughing stock of the boat? Would the men talk about that too?

Most likely. How could I bear such shame then?

We entered the kitchen, and Jimena greeted us with a big smile.

"Welcome, my Lady, Serena. Please come in, sit down. The food is ready. I have only to serve it on the plates. I was waiting for you to come first so that it would not get cold."

"But of course, Jimena, do what you think is best," Brielle replied politely and sat down.

The kitchen was small.

It was impossible for the crew to eat together in this small space. There was a stone hearth to cook the food. It seemed to be a bit dangerous if I think we are in a wooden boat. There was a workbench for preparing food and some cupboards. It may have been very small, but it was spotless and tidy. Jimena and Alma did a great job.

I sat next to Brielle. The table was set with a white tablecloth, garnished with lace all around. And above were neatly arranged cutlery, glasses -one jug with water and another with red wine. In a small basket was a little bread. In the middle of the table was a small blue clay vase with fresh wildflowers. Their scent was spread all over the place.

I felt guilty. The two women got into so much trouble for us, and we lied to them. Basically, we deceived all of them on this boat.

The sweet smell of flowers flooded my senses, making my heart delightful even for a while.

"Well, today we have boiled beef with potatoes and various other vegetables. And for dessert I made a cream with fruit." Jimena announced cheerfully and put in front of Brielle the first plate she served. The food was steaming, and the smell that reached my nostrils was delectable.

After Jimena served for all of us, she sat down at the table herself.

"Have a nice meal!" she said to us, and we began to eat.

The food was great! I enjoyed it until its last bite. Jimena had proven to be an excellent cook.

"Do you want a little more?" she asked us when she saw that we had emptied our plates.

"No, thank you, Jimena. It was enough, and delicious. Thank you very much." Brielle replied, and I agreed with a nod.

"Fine, then I will set the table and serve the dessert."

"Do you need help?" I volunteered to help.

"No, my girl. The space is too small for the both of us. But thank you." She answered me and smiled at me.

"Okay, as you wish."

When she set the table, she served the dessert. The delectable smell of it made my mouth watered, and I tried a bite of it. It was great! I hadn't eaten such a delicious dessert before, even in the castle.

When Brielle also tasted the dessert, she expressed her opinion by complimenting Jimena's cooking skills.

"Thank you, my Lady. I have never had the opportunity to offer my food to prominent personalities like you, and I am glad that you liked it and I managed to satisfy you. You see, we have never had passengers on the boat before. Can I ask you how you made such a difficult decision to travel two women alone, my Lady?

"It really shows great courage and it is admirable," Jimena stated honestly.

Brielle looked at her firmly in the eyes. "Yes of course. I became a widow a few months ago, and decided to leave the land that gave me so much happiness, but at the same time so much misery. Every single thing that reminded me of my dead husband was hurting me. I could no longer bear to live in the house that a few months ago was flooded of happiness. I could no longer bear the eyes of the people who looked at me with pity. So I decided to leave. I know it will not be easy, but I hope one day I will be able to heal my heart that is now bleeding." Brielle's hand began to tremble slightly, and her voice became thick.

Jimena covered Brielle's trembling hand with hers. "Oh, forgive me, my Lady, I didn't want to upset you."

"It is okay. You must forgive me for putting you in a difficult position with my fragile emotions. Let's change subject by telling me your story too. How did you decide to find a job on a boat full of men and especially carrying your young daughter with you?"

Jimena laughed softly. "I know exactly what you mean. I have never felt as safe in my entire life as on this boat with so many men. I came to the ship when Alma was ten years old. That means seven years ago. They all hugged us with sympathy. My daughter suddenly had as many dads as equal the number of the men on the boat. Everyone showed her affection and love. Never, any man from the crew approached me, meaning harm. They are all gentlemen and show respect.

Everything is different on this ship, and that is due to the captain."

Here it was again. My heart fluttered in my chest, recording Jimena's last words. "Everything is different on this ship, and that is due to the captain."

"Yes, but you didn't know that before, I guess," Brielle remarked.

"The truth is, that no, I didn't. How could I?" Jimena admitted.

"So, how did you end up here? What is your story?" Brielle queried once more. Indeed, I had noticed that Jimena avoided answering the question, leading us to other paths of her experience connected to this boat, and I wondered why.

To my big surprise, she started telling her tale.

"I was married. My husband and I lived in a small house far away from here. We had our fields which we cultivated and shared the harvest with our master. We also had a small orchard in our yard from which everything we gained from it was ours. We lived well, and in the first years, we were happy. We had Alma who came and completed our happiness, as I thought.

Gradually he stopped helping me in the fields and started drinking. He repeatedly refused to tell me the reason for his debilitation if there was a reason. I never find out. I showed patience, but it didn't lead anywhere, so I tried to get information from his friends. Apparently, they told him, and he walloped me to leave me almost unconscious when he returned home that day.

The next day I spent it in bed. I couldn't get up. Alma took care of me. I instructed her what to do, and she did it. Teas using herbals. Applications of herbal ointments. Until I felt better.

Fortunately, my husband was missing all day and all night. In the morning, I was able to get out of bed. I took my daughter, picked up the essentials, and we left the house. We lived on the streets hidden for a few days until we end up at the port. We were lucky because the captain's boat was anchored there. He noticed us and the terrible situation we were in. He approached me and asked me what had happened to my daughter and me. I told him my story, and he offered me to work on his boat, and I accepted. That's my story."

Brielle listened intently all the time Jimena was telling her story.

"You did well and left your husband." Brielle declared after she thought of it a little.

"We are happy to be free. And there is no better place from here. Am I not right, Alma?" She asked her daughter.

"Absolutely, mother," Alma confirmed with a smile.

They continued their discussion on other topics while I got lost in my thoughts and stopped watching them. A question started to cross my mind.

How was it possible for a woman with such a forceful personality and well-built body to be struck by anyone and left almost unconscious?

Her story didn't convince me. Something was wrong with it.

She was hiding something, and I wondered what it could be.