Chapter Eighteen: Mistress Tesha

After getting dressed in some clothes, I left back to the maid's dorm, glad I was finally free from Luther.

If Tesha hadn't come, I couldn't guess what he would had done with me.

The night went by and thankfully morning came.

Evelyn didn't ask about what happened between Luther and I. She likely didn't want to intrude into private affairs and I was glad.

I couldn't find myself telling her Luther drowned me, saved me and then wanted to take advantage of me.

It was a crazy tale which I was sure she would be stoned by.

Luther traveled to Perston and didn't return soon.

A week passed and he was still there.

I couldn't tell how I felt about his journey.

I didn't feel glad he wasn't around, no I didn't miss him. I just didn't understand my own feelings.

I didn't like him enough to miss him, I despised him for he was an horrible man who massacred my family.

I knew he would be very much busy. He is the king of two kingdoms now which means more allies, affluence, land and people in his control.

Although I felt bitter about it but I was cheerful he was gone and would for now, not trouble me with his approaches.

Since I had some free time, Evelyn taught me most things about eggs, how to fry and boil them. Being ignorant of this simple doings made me for a while feel stupid and so I wanted to catch up fast.

We also practiced again on steaming rice and I could remember how elated I was when I made my own steamed rice without any assistance.

Though, it was overcooked but I didn't care since it still yet tasted good.

One of the days, Evelyn instructed me serve food to eat some of the guards around the palace.

I didn't complain because it was a pretty good chance to go round the palace and experience the sight of the eye-catching buildings and gardens.

The only thing that got me uneasy about the job was also having to serve the dungeon guards and meeting Otto, who was among the guards outside the dungeon waiting for their meals.

He recognized me as soon as he saw me.

 "Here comes the princess." He mocked with a snigger and the men laughed.

I frowned slightly, hating the mockery.

The title 'Princess' didn't sound good to me anymore. The status had been ripped horribly off me and even when someone calls me that with good intentions, it still doesn't feel right.

I ignored him and I, with some fellow maids began serving the guards but suddenly he grabbed my arm, forcing me to turn to him.

 "I'm talking to you, you miserable dog!" He spat out. I could almost feel his saliva on my face.

I felt irritated. What was wrong with him?

 "Let me go." I muttered, struggling with his grip.

It pissed me off a man as disgusting as him touched me and that too, fanned his stinking saliva and breath on my face.

It made me nauseous and I tried as best as I could, to hold back my vomit.

 "Or else what? Wanna bump me off as your bloody father would?"

He snarled.

I stared around.

Most people were watching with no intention to help me out. Why would they? They all abhorred me.

 "Stop." I bit his arm and he winced, instantly removing his grip.

He scowled and was nearly about to hit me right in the face but someone stopped him, the partner I saw with him during my stay in the dungeon.

 "Calm yourself Otto, think of the consequences first. If the king finds out about your behavior, you'd be gone for."

 "Why then is she still alive? She should be already dead just as her family!"

 "I know that but we can't question the king."

Otto frowned at me and angrily walked away.

I sighed in relief and hastily went back into the palace.

The next morning, I resumed my usual activity which was to aid the kitchen maids with the dishes.

When I was done, I took a rest on my bunk bed and later walked around the inside of the palace which I had made a common activity when I was bored.

Suddenly I saw a face I had seen earlier.

It was Tesha.

This time she was dressed much decently but her face was filled with heavy makeup and her body fragrance smelt of rose.

It seemed she had just taken some pleasant bath.

I was a little envious since it's been weeks since I had a bath in my comfy bathing pool.

Bathing with the maids in the not so big bathroom was a struggle, may the heavens help me.

She looked like she recognized me too, as she began walking towards me.

I should have bowed since she had a status higher than mine but I instead stood nervously, trying to avoid staring at her.

I just hoped she doesn't find it disrespectful though.

 "Lady." She called, stopping Infront of me.

A smile adorned her painted lips as she folded her arms on her waist.

 "Aren't you the female I met in his highness's room?"

She looked a bit confused and curious also.

I was embarrassed.

Our first meeting wasn't in a good environment and she even met I and the king half-naked.

She must think I was an harlot or some sort.

 "Y..yes." I reluctantly answered.

I wanted to lie and say no but I also knew how wrong it was lying to a person of her level.

Tesha was a mistress of King Luther. She was his partner, no matter what her role is, so she is expected to receive at least half of the respect her master which is the king gets.

Mistresses aren't harlots, they aren't concubines either. They aren't meant to reproduce for their masters, they are meant just for pleasure and could be disposed anytime.

So as long as a mistress is on service, especially to a man of affluence, she has a chance to enjoy been revered.

"I thought so! I knew I couldn't be wrong. Are you less busy? I would like to have tea with you."

I was surprised.

She was asking a maid out for tea which was quite rare.

Besides, I wasn't solely a maid, I was also a daughter of a Rupert and both I and my family were condemned in this kingdom.

It was a shocking offer to say the least.

I wanted to accept, to know why she requested for that.

Did Luther tell her anything about me that got her curious or perhaps did she see me as someone Luther fancied?

I was a bit discomforted with the latter question.

The thought of I being fancied by Luther was utterly repulsing.

On the other hand, I felt like I had to decline.

Having a tea or conversation with a mistress, as a maiden was prohibited by the standard society and frowned upon.

I could remember what happened when I danced with harlots and how the maids kept continuously gossiping about it which later on resulted to a fight with Cassandra.

I didn't want any trouble, especially because of a mere tea acceptance.

 "I'm not busy." I replied timidly, not knowing what else to say after that.

Her smile broadened almost immediately. "Alright then, lets head to my room and don't be embarrassed or perhaps, afraid. No one would dare quarrel with you about this."

She seemed to sense my fear and reluctance.

I was even glad at how comforting she sounded. But I didn't know her, somehow I couldn't trust her one bit.

We headed to her chamber and I was astonished with the way it looked.

It wasn't an average bedroom. It looked and smelt ladylike.

There was a large bed, white bedsheets, white pillows with pink strips on them.

She had about five large wardrobes which I knew were all filled to the brim.

Closer to the bed, at the right was a makeup table. It held a tall, large mirror and was filled with different makeup accessories.

The room had a scent that almost made me feel slightly hungry. It smelt of fragrant roses.

She had a great taste. I was impressed.

 "I apologize, it's a bit messy." She said, referring to the few clothes hauled to the floor. "I was in a hurry while leaving, I forgot to call my maids over to get it arranged."

I couldn't understand why she was apologizing or explaining things to me. I was just a maid but she didn't seem to care.

I didn't know what to say so I just kept mute.

Soon enough, she rang the bell and her handmaid rushed in in few seconds.

 "Pi, get some tea here. I have a guest."

Pi left immediately and returned back with a jug of warm tea, two glasses and some slices of freshly baked bread.

Tesha stared at me as she poured in the tea into her glass.

 "You know why I brought you here, right? I need to discuss with you about King Luther."