Frightening Madam

Elle saw Madam Val's cold gaze and felt a shiver down her spine. Taking the soft creamy towel to her hand, Elle saw the maid leaving with the maid statue helped by the other maid. Only the earlier maid who had poured the icy water was left in the room. The maid stared at her with a frown and spoke with bitterness, "Don't think we need pity from peasants like you!" Then the maid turned away, slamming the door behind her.

Elle was left speechless. She didn't talk to defend those two maids who had poured ice water for her own purpose. She didn't see how it is a big mistake either that caused the maid to be petrified into stone either, thus she stood against Madam Val. Yet the maid and the head maid had thought she had pitied them???

She only didn't want ruckus early in the morning but it appeared that the maids hadn't noticed it yet and thought she was an endearing kind creature.

Regardless what was the power that Madam Val had used? She wondered in her mind. She didn't hear the woman whispering any spell like those vampires would. What had changed from the woman was her eyes. Perhaps that's what turn the maid to stone? Then what was the maid? A human? A vampire?

Elle sighed as the ruckus had now ended. Even though she still felt somewhat bitter she decided to let go of the problem and focus more on the happy side of her morning which was to meet her family in the slums again!!

With haste and eagerness, Elle wiped the droplets from her face, light drying the hair that was slightly wet and went to change her dress to the one she had found lying on the bed. The dress was crimson in color with orange pattern of flower decorating the entire dress. Her strawberry hair and the redness of the dress didn't match too well, thought Elle after she saw her reflection on the oval mirror near her bed.

She realized that her hair color was too soft while the red color of her dress were burning so brightly as though it was angered. Red was her most favorite color but the red she wore this time made her felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Regardless, Elle didn't want to ask Madam Val to change the dress. The faster she could go home, the happier she is. The dress didn't matter anymore as long as she could leave the manor and go back to see Marcie and Lucas. Her sudden disappearance must have greatly scared the children and she didn't want to see their tears.

"Does it fit?" Madam Val inquired sternly as she had came back to check on her.

Elle nodded her head, "It's gorgeous. Can I go now?"

The head maid nod her head once, "Count Arthur have waited you outside the carriage. I will show you the way."

Agreeing to the head maid's courtesy, Elle followed the woman three steps behind her. She watched as the maids surrounding them hang their heads down to look at the floor, making her to feel on her toes as it was her first time ever feeling people being scared of her. One might feel flattered but she could only feel uncomfortable. She wasn't someone who liked on stepping on others by fear or authority. She didn't wish for any sovereignty over the maids but after seeing the harsh punishment Madam Val beheld over the maid who had tried to make her suffer from the cold water, they didn't want to be one of the next statue.

"It's a beautiful house," croaked Elle who felt the silence to be stifled. As Madam Val looked at her by brushing her gaze to the corner of her eyes, their eyes met and she offered the older woman a brighter smile, "I didn't notice this enough from inside but I saw how beautifully adorned every vase in this house. They are filled with flowers that I also love."

Madam Val's eyebrows knitted tightly all of a sudden. A flare of anger rose to her nose that flared as she huffed, "Those flowers are chosen by Count Arthur. He does have a great taste in flowers."

"Did I do something that has offended you?" The bold Elle didn't hold back as she noticed how every time Madam Val had looked to her face, the older woman's expression had turned to grimace. Did she smell? Was she terrible looking? When the woman tilted her head, Elle responded with a faint smile, "It's just that you seem to frown whenever you look at me."

Madam Val furrowed her eyebrows together and exhaled, "Nothing of such. There is nothing that a guest could do to offend a mere maid."

Yet despite her saying so, Elle saw the anger that seemed to flicker over Madam Val's eyes as she spoke. Looking away, Elle was thankful she didn't have to deal with the woman for so long as she had quite the terrible personality apart from her sour mien.

As they reached the foyer, Elle noticed Lady Gladys who had came down from the staircase with a bright yellow gown, followed by Carol whose orange hair had been tied to twin tails and her dress matching her mother in the flowery pattern except hers were dyed red.

They stared down at her, as if seizing her figure and then broke to a wide smile. She could tell that the lady and her daughter was extremely glad to see her walking out of the house as they had feared her decision in staying inside the manor.

Elle didn't mind the unwelcoming attitude the two had since the beginning but she couldn't comprehend the reason why they hated her as even if she did decide to stay with the Vernon family, she wouldn't try to covet for their treasures. Though it appeared that they believed she would do otherwise.

Offering the two a smile, Elle put aside their terrible attitude and made her way from the door. Outside, Count Arthur seemed to be awaiting for her with a gentle smile, "Good morning sweetheart."

"Good morning," Elle responded to him with the same smile. "Thank you for the care."

"Oh come on, I had only welcomed you for merely one day even though I had wished to let you stay for half a year at least." Count Arthur then looked at her eyes that longingly stare at the carriage, perhaps wanting to leave as soon as possible to meet her family in the slums which darkened his eyes. He quickly made a bigger smile and opened his arms, "I have prepared everything inside for your family, some clothes for them too, and money."

"That's too much," Elle said with her eyes wide open. She had only asked for food but the man had gone far by bringing her more luxuries for her and her family's well being. Only someone with a cold heart wouldn't be touched and Elle had a warm heart. "I.. don't know what to express to you."

Count Arthur simply smiled, "All I need is for you to come visit me once in a week, nothing much. As long as you are happy and healthy I don't mind anything I have to do for it… I can't lose you again."

Elle saw his extended hands and slowly held his hand. With a soft smile she promised, "I will come back."

As Elle entered the carriage and the horses galloped, Count Arthur's smile faded.

He whispered to himself the reply he didn't say aloud, "Of course you will."