036: Chapter 2.5 ~ I'm not scared at night anymore ②

April 20, 2021 - 4 minutes read - 817 words

After Charlotte finishes eating, she must begin to clean the house.

“It’s time to clean again, young lady.” Maid

“Yes” Charlotte

A maid with a darkened face hands Charlotte a bucket and rag. Charlotte takes them and starts to wipe the railing and windows near the stairs. This is her morning routine.

Thanks to her cleaning tasks, Charlotte hands stay rough and bright red all year. It was especially bad in the winter as her hands would start to bleed. Those times, Charlotte had to be careful to not stain the furniture.

The area she is assigned varies by the day, but sometimes she is assigned the same area day after day.

“Oof!” Charlotte

“Oh, I’m sorry, young lady” Maid A

Charlotte desperately steadies a picture frame after she was bumped from behind by a maid. After a short apology, the maid leaves with another maid.

“That was totally on purpose” Maid B

“I can’t believe she’s actually the Duke’s daughter.” Maid A

The two maids laugh with each other as they disappeared down the hallway.

After the two leave, Charlotte returns to polishing the picture frame. It’s not like there’s any dust on the frame, but Charlotte will do as she was told.

Soon, she hears a small voice.

“Hey, hello…” Voice

“Ah” Charlotte

As she looks back, there’s a little girl standing there. She has glossy blonde hair and crimson eyes. While she’s dressed up as pretty as a doll, her face is stiff. She isn’t trying to look away from Charlotte.

Charlotte stops her cleaning and curtsies deeply to the girl.

“Good morning, Ms. Natalia.” Charlotte

“… Good morning” Natalia

The girl is Natalia Evans, the second daughter of the Evans family and Charlotte’s half-sister. She was born legitimately between the Duke and his wife. Therefore, she is respected and served by the servants of the house. Charlotte and Natalia originally had a fairly normal sisterly relationship, but Natalia’s mother put a stop to that. After her actions, Charlotte would use the same manner of speaking as the servants when talking with Natalia.

Natalia doesn’t want that, she tries to talk with Charlotte as if they still could be sisters.

“Hey, do you have some time today? I want to read a book with you.” Natialia

“Today…” Charlotte

Charlotte chokes out a word. She’d love to enjoy some time with Natalia, but there’s no way she’d be allowed to. She regretfully shakes her head, worried that she might start to cry.

“I’m sorry… please invite me some other time.” Charlotte

“…understood” Natalia

Natalia nods is a sad way, but she soon raises her face. She hands Charlotte a small vial.

“Hey, I say your fingers look hurt. This is medicine, please use it.” Natalia

“Oh, thank you” Charlotte says as she quietly the vial.

Natalia will sometimes slip Charlotte various things, like fruit or stationary. Charlotte appreciates the thought even more than the items, it really touches her.

The sisters share a short moment of silence, the Natalia broke the silence.

Hey, so, I’ll grow up pretty soon, so-" Natalia

“Natalia” Woman

Natalia’s face stiffens, and a shadow appears behind Charlotte. She knows who it is without looking, and her legs are rooted in place. Charlotte slowly breathes out, then turns around and curtsies.

“Good morning, Duchess Cordelia.” Charlotte

“Yes” Cordelia

Behind Charlotte was a women in a fine jet-black dress with a firm voice. This was the current wife of the Evan family head, Cordelia Evans. She was married to Duke Evans after the previous wife died from her illness. All though she’s the mother of Natalia and Charlotte’s stepmother, she’s only twenty-five. She twists her dark-purple hair and admires the many jewels that decorate her body.

To Charlotte, it’s like she has a black haze covering her body, the only part she can make out is some fiery red lips.

“Mother” Natalia

Cordelia gives Natalia a look. It wasn’t a look you should give a child, but that’s just how Cordelia is.

“I saw your tutor, hop to it.” Cordelia responds with a voice laced with malice.

“Yes” Charlotte

Charlotte hurriedly starts to put away her cleaning supplies. Her schedule is cleaning in the morning, then a tutor arrives for her courses. She has to have the requisite knowledge of a prince’s bride, literature, music, embroidery, horseback riding, and many other items.

Charlotte doesn’t detest learning. When she concentrates on learning new things, she can forget about other worries. When she’s able to do things she couldn’t do before, she feels a distinct sense of accomplishment.

However, there’s a problem. The black haze shifts as the person under the haze laughs.

“I’ll sit in today.” Cordelia

Charlotte takes a deep breath as her face pales. Even Natalia looks like she’s about to cry from second-hand worry. Cordelia ignores them both.

“Don’t be rude to you tutor, Charlotte” Cordelia

“Understood…” Charlotte squeezes out.