Chapter 41: Chapter 41

Violette POV

Lillian and Sylvia were in the servants eating hall after I’d helped Ms. Beatrice cook breakfast. The smiles on their faces when they saw me made my spirits lift immensely. We talked as we ate until we were done.

“I still haven’t heard anything from the King, so you may work in the gardens with the girls if you wish,” Beatrice said. I nodded my head as I stood up. The idea of being outside sounded wonderful.

“Today will be a lovely day!” Sylvia cheered.

“Yes, it will.” I giggled. I followed both of them outside. The bright light felt amazing on my skin, the fresh air filled my lungs and I swear I felt dizzy. It had been a minute since I felt this good. It must have started with my writing this morning.

“How did you sleep?” Lillian asked. I followed her to the rows of flowers and sighed.

“I’ve slept better, but that’s okay. It was made up with a good morning. What about you two?” I asked. She gave me the brightest smile I’ve ever seen on her beautiful face.

“I slept amazingly. Goddess, Cedric is such a kind man, Princess. He brought me Lillies! How did he even know they were my favorite?” She asked.

“I guess mates know those kinds of things,” I said softly, with a knowing smile on my face.

We got on our knees and began pulling weeds. That feeling of someone watching came back to me.. it had been a minute since I’d felt it. But I tried not to pay it any mind as we talked about Lillian’s mate.

“He is very kind indeed. He kissed my cheek before I left for bed! Never in my life did I ever imagine..” she stopped talking when she looked at me.

“Oh, I’m sorry Princess.. I don’t mean to brag.” She said as she furrowed her brows.

“You’re not, Lillian. I’ve never seen you so giddy. It’s a wonderful sight.” I said with a giggle.

“Are you sure? We can talk about something else? What did you do yesterday?” She asked. I sat for a moment in my thoughts before answering. I was hoping to avoid this subject.

“I cleaned. And read. Then went to bed.” I said. Her smile faded.

“That’s it?” She asked.

“Well.. It was a very good day. Up until Minerva showed up and ruined it.” I said as I shook my head in annoyance. Goddess, I really hated that woman.

“Oh, what did she do this time?” She asked.

“She ripped a book of the King’s.. a book I was reading. Then just said the most awful things. Lillian, if it’s okay.. I’d much rather not talk about it.” I said. She nodded her head and placed her hand on mine.

“I will be here to listen whenever you are ready.” She said.

“But did you hear what happened?” She asked. I shook my head.

“Whatever she did must have made the king so mad.. because he ended up putting her in the dungeon.” She said. I stopped dead in my tracks and looked at her confused.

“He did what?” I asked as my brows raised in shock.

“You heard me right. In the dungeon. I don’t know how long, but it was definitely overnight.” She said.

“Wow.. that’s.. wow.” I didn’t really know what to say.

“I’m assuming from what you’ve told me, it may have something to do with that.” She said. Maybe she’s right. Maybe her punishment was the dungeon. I definitely didn’t feel bad for her. She earned it. I was half expecting him to punish her on the desk like me.. but it seems my anger may have affected his decision.

We finished pulling weeds and began watering the flowers, then all of the sudden I heard someone come up behind me.

“Hey.” His voice was familiar. I turned around to see the same man who talked to me a while ago as I was leaving the gardens. Lillian looked at him curiously, and cautiously.. as well as I.

“She can’t speak to anyone.” She said.

“I just saw her speaking to you.” He said, matter-of-factly.

Lillian rolled her eyes in annoyance.

“Well, she can’t speak to you. The King chooses who she speaks to.” She said.

“Why not me?” He asked.

“Because she’s the Kings slave.” Master’s voice came up behind him.

“Oh, plea-“ the man turned around and was met with Master’s death glare.

“My apologies, my king.. I-I didn’t realize..” the man said.

“You should have realized the first two times she told you no,” Master said. The man bowed his head and quickly took off. I heard Lillian and Sylvia giggle behind me as they watched the man run away in fear.

“Walk with me?” Master asked. I looked back at Lillian and Sylvia. Sylvia had a scowl on her face, but Lillian had a soft smile.

“I will see you both, later,” I said. I kissed them both on the cheek before walking away with Master.

He didn’t speak for a moment. We just walked around the garden, then towards the massive pond. It is a very lovely day to walk. I wonder why he asked me to join him. I would imagine he’d prefer to spend this time alone.

“I wanted to apologize for yesterday. Sincerely.” He said after a few minutes.

“It’s okay,” I said softly, not looking his way but instead focusing on the little ducks floating atop of the water. I’d never really seen them before except here.

“It’s not.” He said. I clasped my hands together in nervousness as I listened to him continue on.

“What Minerva did was wrong. And I’ve made sure she will be getting her punishment for it. I can assure you it won’t happen again.” He said. I finally looked up at him. His soft eyes were staring deep into my soul, it gave me butterflies just to see the truth that lie within them.

“I’m sorry for your book,” I said. I felt awful for it. Even if it wasn’t me who ruined it, I still felt at fault.

“Oh, don’t worry about it. That wasn’t your fault.” He said. His voice was shaky as if the mentioning of the book was upsetting. I really hope it wasn’t a special book to him.

“Was it an important book to you?” I asked. I looked away when I heard the fluttering of duck wings.

“It was, but that’s no matter.” He replied swiftly. I wonder what made it important. Did it belong to someone he cared about once? I immediately felt shame.

“I was wondering if you’d like to finish it?” He asked. I shook my head.

“It’s fine.. I’d hate to ruin it further.” I said.

“Well, it will always be there if you change your mind.” He said softly. The way he spoke made my heart flutter and I hated it. He made me feel things I shouldn’t.

We didn’t speak for a few minutes as we enjoyed the walk. After a while, we came across a bench and he took a seat. Not knowing what to do, I went to sit at his feet when he stopped me. His hand rested on my arm and he shook his head.

“You may sit next to me.” He said.

“But-“ he pulled me down and my bottom plopped on the bench.

“There. Wasn’t so hard, was it?” He asked with a soft smile. Goddess, there’s that damned smile again. The first time that he’s actually smiled at me. I wouldn’t lie, I was finding it quite endearing.

“Yes, actually,” I said. I stared ahead, watching the lily pads float on the pond. Sitting next to the man who named me his slave. The man who promised to make my life a living hell. What an odd day it is..

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