Part XXIV

Walking down the stairs Joel stumbled upon Francine. She stood there with angry red face. Something was off.

"What's the matter Francine, you look upset?" Joel came closer and than out of the blue she hit him straight in the face. The slap took him by surprise so he almost dropped the tray.

"What?!" Was all he managed to say before Francine started to shout.

"You took my Gerd away, you ... freak!"

"What do you mean?" Joel put the tray aside and started rubbing his throbbing cheek.

"Don't play innocent! It was going so well we even kissed..." Tears were rolling down her cheeks. "He said he is in love with somebody else, with Joy."

That's bad, but he will manage to convince Francine. After all his plan was perfect.

"Francine I told you he is a player and no good. Do you want to ruin your life for someone like him?"

There was a silence.

"I told him." Francine was looking at the tips of her toes.

"Told him what?" Joel got tensed.

"That you are a fake woman and that my father hired you."

Fuck. This stupid piece of fucking spoiled brat. Joel clenched his fists he wanted to hit her so badly. It took him a few seconds to calm down.

"What did he say?"

"He was shocked and he just went away."

"You still want to stay here that badly? For somebody like him? Work hard everyday, wear those hideous clothes and be looked down by others like a simple servant? Is he worth it Francine?"

Francine sighted she looked beaten.

"I guess not."

OK she was on the right track, now he has to nail it. He hugged Francine, she wasn't resisting.

"It's time to go home Francine, let's go together. We will leave that unfaithful asshole behind. You deserve something better Francine." He was now petting her back and she was sobbing. Well yes, technically he was the biggest asshole here but the ends justify the means.

"I'll get things ready, in a few days time we will leave."

Francine nodded and tried to wipe the tears away. Joel corrected her headpiece and smiled. They parted on a good terms and Joel felt excited, his plan was working. He carried the dishes straight to the kitchen

"What happened to you?" The main chef asked

"What do you mean?" Joel was taken aback for a moment.

"I mean your face, your forehead is scratched and your cheek is bruised." Now all the kitchen stuff was looking at him.

"I had an encounter with the wall and a jealous woman." Joel smiled and everyone present was startled and hushed by his shamelessness.

"Go wash your face and put some cold compress on your cheek." Rose advised him.

"I will." Joel went to the well and pumped some really cold water, it felt so good on his face.

He was allowed to take a break before coming back to the dining hall. This time food was carried very fast as it was still hot and the lords were already sitting at the table. Joel allowed his hair to cover his face as much as he could but both men, the black clad lord and the duke, noticed it right away. The lord smirked but the duke looked worried and kept eyeing him while Joel was serving them during the dinner. They were silent while eating and Joel used this time to collect the cups and bottles from the duke's study. With a tray full of cups and three bottles Joel was about to leave when he noticed the huge map on the desk. Such maps were always very expensive. This one was a masterpiece, the colors were so vivid and the drawings made it look like a picture.

"Learned something interesting?" It was that fucking lord again.

"Yes sir, that we live in a fine kingdom bordering with four neighbors." Joel smiled willing to leave. The lord looked as if he was about to say something when the duke appeared.

"Here you are Morrice, we need to settle one more thing and than we will part. Ah and Joy come to my study after their lordship leave."

"Yes your grace." Joel noticed the look the black lord was giving him it was full of anger … disdain , well hard to say but he was probably imagining how the duke and Joel will be fucking maybe straight on the desk. The thought was so funny that Joel had problems to keep his countenance unchanged.