Chapter 31 The Duke with a servant

Rufus'eyes narrowed at the Duke who was once again interrupting his time with the girl.

Hazel bowed her head and she said," Happy birthday your grace." He nodded at her before asking," What is going on here?"

"Your servant is being disrespectful. I told her to walk me around the estate but she disobeyed me." He then looked at Hazel who said," He wanted me to walk him around the Manor yet Mr Cooper instructed me to serve the guests in here, your grace." Rufus looked at the Duke and he said," She is a servant and she has to- " "Let's save this conversation for later," he interrupted and looked at Hazel before saying," Go back to your workplace."

She bowed her head and walked away immediately.

"You are so protective of the girl. Did you perhaps want to have her for yourself? And it's why you brought her here?" asked Rufus when they remained the two of them. "Do you have any problem with it?" he asked tucking his hands in his pockets. "I may not have a problem with it but it will make juicy gossip. The Duke with a servant," he said smiling mischievously.

"Raven," he turned to see Eleanor who had come to where they were. "I wanted us to discuss something," she said before looking at Rufus and waved at him as if he was irrelevant. He smiled and walked away to find Lilith whom he had abandoned at the dance floor.

"What were you doing talking to the Duke and my cousin?" asked Lilith who was leaning against the wall, where she had been watching from.

"I had gone to ask her why she did that and fortunately, the Duke came so I addressed my issue at once." "So, did he say he was going to fire her?" she asked. "Of course. He just didn't want to make a scene here and he chased her away saying that he will deal with her later," he said and she smiled. "You didn't introduce me to the Duke though," she complained.

"He's busy at the moment as you can see," he said and she looked his way, where he was talking with the princess.

Reaching the kitchen, Hazel felt the urge to use the bathrooms and she decided to use the main ones since they were nearer. Stepping inside, she found a woman bending towards the sink as she clutched her stomach. She quickly walked to her and asked," Miss, are you alright?" She shook her head and soon, she threw up. Hazel looked at her in worry and she wondered if she was sick.

She quickly held her hair for her, so that she could not mess it up in the process.

When Alvara felt her stomach emptied, she rinsed her mouth thoroughly and stood upright then looked at the girl who had helped her. She had helped and watched her throw up without being disgusted. Resting her hands at her back, she asked," You work here?" "Yes. I'm a maid here," she replied before asking," Are you alright ma'am?" "I guess so. You know how pregnancy hormones can be," she stated.

"Oh, you're pregnant! Congratulations," she said. "Thank you," she replied giving her a weak smile.

Remembering something, Hazel said," I know of a magic tea that can help with your nausea. It is fine for pregnant women and I can make it for you if you want."

Alvara analysed the girl and she felt like she could trust her. "Fine," she agreed. "Okay. Come with me this side," she said and she led her to the dining room before getting her a place to sit. "I will make it quickly," she said before rushing back to the kitchen.

Reaching, she quickly made the fire before starting to prepare the magical tea she had talked of.

A while later, she came back and handed her the cup. "It is more effective when it's hot," she informed and Alvara looked at the black tea before taking a sip on it. "How is it?" she asked. "Not bad," she replied and took another sip. "So, where did you learn to make this tea?" she asked. "A friend taught it to me," she said. "What is your name?" "Hazel," she replied. "It is a nice name," she said drinking on the tea.

"Thank you," she replied then heard strong footsteps approaching and she turned to see a tall man coming. She thought he looked familiar and that she had seen him somewhere. "Honey, what are you doing here? I looked for you everywhere," he spoke looking at Hazel questioningly. She bowed her head and said," It's nice meeting you sir."

"I am trying this magical tea. She told me that it will work on my nausea," replied Alvara.

"Magical tea?" he got the cup from her and looked at it before raising it to his nose and smelled the content. "It's just tea," she said looking at him. He then looked at Hazel and asked," Is it safe for my pregnant wife?"

"Yes sir," she replied bowing her head and he gestured for her to leave. "How are you feeling?" he asked looking at his wife. "I'm okay now. It might be because of the tea," she replied taking the cup from him.

"But do you know her? You shouldn't take everything given to you Alvara," he said getting a seat for himself and sat next to her. "She works here and she seemed to be a good girl," she said. "If you say so, but you should be more careful. The party is almost coming to the end. Do you want us to leave now?" he asked.

"I think yes. Let's tell Raven that we are leaving," she said before finishing the tea and she stood up so that they could leave.

Hazel went back to the kitchen and she decided that she was not going back to the Hall. Later on, Charlotte too came back and together, they started washing the many dishes. As they were in the middle of the job, a servant came looking for Hazel.