Chapter 7

Young master is shining today like always. If I could just…maybe touch one strand of his luscious long blonde hair, I would never wash that hand again.

"Fati? You're drooling. Are you alright?"

"Thank you, young master!" I blurted out.

Yes, thank you for gracing my eyes with such magnificent beauty this morning.

"R-right…but, what are you thanking me for?"

"Get it together Fati. Here. Eat some bread." said Clovernervously, as she shoved a piece of bread into my mouth.

"Apologies for her behavior, young master. She is not herself today."

I'd say she looks a little too well, perhaps even better than before.

"Brother!" exclaimed a familiar voice in the distance.

"Octave, Waynon, and Jeffrey. What are you three doing in these parts?"

"We saw you playing, and we came to join you."

Playing?

"You three are well aware that you aren't permitted to play with them. Mother will be furious when she finds out."

"T-then, can we make an excuse for their participation?" pouted Jeffrey as he fidgeted in front of his big brother.

It was rather endearing to watch them try to pull their brother's leg in order for them to obtain permission to play with us.

"Brother, I just thought of something. How about we practice archery and pretend that they are assisting us?"

Why are they so adamant about playing with us? Were they not raised to hate slaves like their sister? I am very much confused by their behavior right now. Ivy and Clover were peering out from behind me ever since they arrived. They must be terrified of the consequences of being in the same space as them. As am I.

"If I may, young masters." I subtly said as I cleared my throat.

"Yes Fati, go on." replied the young lord.

Due to the nervousness of having their gazes directed right at me, I forgot what I was going to say for a brief moment. My heart began to pound quite loudly as the young master's tender gaze pierced through my very soul. Why is he looking at me sofondly?

Pull yourself together Fati, this is no time to fawn over him.

"I-I don't think it wise to play with you. As slaves, we have rules that we must obey, and the consequences of breaking themwill be ours to bear alone."

That's right. I do not want Ivy or Clover to go through what I did last night. I absolutely refuse to let them get hurt by that evil witch.

"Say Fati, your manner of speech is far from that of a slave. Are you certain you aren't from a fallen noble's family? Which country do you ail from exactly?" asked young master Octave ina suspicious tone.

Drats! I completely forgot about my speech. I'm supposed to sound like a slave.

"That's enough Octave. Now then, fair maidens, how about assisting us in our physical activities today?" asked the young master with an ever so loving smile on his face.

+++++

After much discussion, we decided to play in the forest, far away from prying eyes. Ivy and Clover were playing with the other young masters. Whereas I was simply following their big brother as instructed. 

"How are you feeling, Fati? Yesterday must have taken a toll on you."

"I am fine, all thanks to you, young master. Thank you for saving me."

Saving her? Does she mean from him?

"Ah yes, his high-I mean Sir Nate can be rough around the edges, but I assure you he is a good fellow deep, deep, deep down."

"Young master is absolutely right." She responded with a giggle.

She continued to laugh, and somehow, I was enthralled by her cheerful expression. I don't think I've ever heard or seen anyone laugh this beautifully in my entire life. She's so…beautiful.

"Young master Waynon, stop! Do not touch that mushroom!" she yelled as she sprinted towards my little brother.

+++++

"I heard Madam Jasmine is with child. How did you manage to conceal it for a whole five months? Hahaha!"

"Your majesty, we aren't here to discuss my personal life…"

"Come now Duke Dominique, we are family after all, cousins to be exact. What's with the sudden secrecy? It isn't like no one knew of your beloved mistress."

I hid it precisely because I did not want him to tease me like this. He has been laughing ever since I entered the throne room and has not ceased since. I came here to request that he drag his son off my property as soon as possible. Now I feel as though I won't be able to get a word in. Again!

"You must know that Duchess Gwendolynn will be furious once she catches wind of this. In fact, I'm sure she is receiving a fair number of letters as we speak."

Why do you think I kept it hidden in the first place?

"Y-your majesty, will you please instruct the crowned prince to leave my property as soon as possible?"

"Why? Was it not your idea to have him spend time with your daughter?"

"Your majesty that was my wife's idea."

"Are you saying you don't want your daughter to marry my son? He is a good child; he has many qualities of a perfect husband material! Why do you refuse to accept him as your son-in-law? What's more, I heard that your daughter is practically infatuated with him!" he yelled angrily.

"Y-your majesty you must keep calm." nervously instructed his aides.

*sigh* This conversation is not unfolding the way I expected it to. I should find a way to end this smoothly before he collapsesyet again. His health has not been the best as of late.

"Your majesty, I only have one daughter, whereas you have five, two of which are betrothed to my sons. Is that not enough?"

"*sigh* Fine, fine. I'm sure you have a lot on your plate right now. You may send Kazein back upon your return to the Dutchy. I will also expedite a letter beforehand to smooth things out with him."

Thank heavens we finally came into an agreement.

"If that is all, I bid you good day, your majesty."

+++++

"Phew!"

"Miss Fati, you are still squeezing my cheeks."

"Oops! My apologies, young master. I did not mean to put my hands on you. I simply panicked and…"

"It's alright, I was not upset at you touching me at all." replied young master Waynon.

These children are so different from their mother, who supposedly raised them. How are they so good natured as opposed to their sister? I cannot wrap my head around how distinct their personalities are.

"I'm grateful that you stopped me on time. Who knew there were poisonous mushrooms growing in this forest?"

"This one is commonly known as a death cap mushroom. It is so toxic that the smallest amount consumed by a child your age can lead to instant death."

They gasped as an expression of horror formed on their faces. This type of mushroom should not have been found growing here because of the climate. Spring is rather dry in this region, and summer is mildly humid. Winters are extremely harsh with the excessive amount of snow we get despite the lack of humidity. So why did it grow here, of all places.

"…ti! Fati!" yelled the young master.

That startled me.

"Apologies. It seemed you were absent-minded for a moment."

"I am very sorry, young master; I was simply worried about…"

"Shall we head back? I think we played in the dirt long enough for one day. Mother will certainly throw a fit if she sees you all in this state."

+++++

After that day, the young masters came to play with us more often under their eldest brother's supervision. That also granted me the chance to see him more often, and God knows I will never tire of seeing his angelic face. 

"Fati, he's here today as well." whispered Clover.

Sir Nate, however, has been helping us with our daily chores ever since that day. We bicker quite often, but we always make up the very next day as if nothing happened. As for the duchess, she was barely seen on the premises, which made me wonder if she went on some sort of vacation. Apparently, she did not. What a shame.

"What is that in your hand, Sir Nate?" I asked politely.

"You mean you can't tell?"

Ever since he found out that I can cook, he's been frequently bringing us groceries from town. He dines with us quite often too. At this rate, he may as well just move into the stables.

"I brought quite a lot of meat as well."

Which means he is indirectly requesting that I make the meat soup he likes so much. I initially declined his kindness;however, our position didn't allow us much of a choice.

"Meat soup!" suddenly shouted Clover as she dangled her arms in the air.

"Clover, behave yourself!" nagged Ivy.

This is exactly why I can't find it in myself to send him away with the groceries.