Chapter Six - Distance

The dawn broke as the two women went their separate ways. It had been a long night full of tears, anger, and regret. Max was drowning in a sea of misery and self-hatred. She knew she needed to kill her. That was the only reason she was gaining her trust back. She couldn't believe anything else. That was her sole purpose. That was it. That was all. Kill, collect, go home, and take another job. It was all she had, all she knew.

She washed up in a public bath, growing self conscious of every mark and scar on her body. Drying off and pulling her tunic over her body once more, she stepped back into the castle, making her way towards Lady Rose's bedchamber.

She ran her fingers through her damp locks, fixing her appearance hurriedly before knocking.

The door creaked open, and there stood the woman that stole her heart. Messy-haired and clothed in nothing but a robe.

Clothed in nothing but a robe.

Nothing but a robe.

Just a robe.

Oh no.

Rose ducked into her closet as Max's hand flew up to cover her eyes. The two women stood red-faced and stunned.

"A-apologies my lady-" Max stammered.

"Out!" Rose shouted, cowering in her closet.

"Y-yes ma'am!" She yelped, stepping out, not yet daring to open her eyes.

A thud resounded inside the room, followed by the frantic rustling of fabric. The door swung open and Max jumped slightly. She looked disheveled and nervous, not meeting Max's gaze.

"Sorry for the intrusion- I came to collect your decree-" She stammered, unsure what to say.

Rose nodded, striding over to her desk. Without a word, she picked up the letter, walking back and handing it to Max, shutting the door before she could thank her.

Max sighed. This was not going to end well. Clearly, she had offended the Duchess, and now she would suffer the consequences.

For now, she resolved to keep her distance and avoid calling attention to herself.

Concurrently, she would spend the following week doing nothing but serving in the kitchen, cleaning, and serving the higher-ranking staff.

On the outside, Max seemed cold and standoffish, but truly, she was hurt. Vulnerable even. She hated the lack of interaction between the two.

Despite Rose's efforts to appear otherwise, she felt the same.

The trials between the two women had begun.

It was bound to crash and burn.