Few days passed and Victoria worked in the kitchen without any glitches. She woke up with everyone, went yo sleep when she was told and had a constant smile on her face.
Soon everyone in kitchen loved and cared for her. They didn't let her do any hard labor, even when she ran to help. Katherine put her in her big heart within few seconds in beginning, so she took care of her like a hen over a chick.
The the word that there is a pretty and kind servant in the kitchen came been up to the ears of a young man. He looked at a bunch of women chatting around and sighed. " Maybe we should get her out there. Such hard work is not meant for soft, tender hands. What do you think?" He looked at the older woman and saw her shaking her head.
" Sire, I'm sorry, but Katherine seems to like that child. She wouldn't let her come here and the child specifically asked to work in the kitchen, as she wanted to learn cooking. Even her contract has been changed because of that. Sorry..." She was afraid that Katherine might flip the whole kitchen if that child becomes another maid in masters side.
He shrugged and waved his hand. " I understand. She should not worry, I won't take that one from her. She should teach her well, for future..."
She understood his words and nodded as she walked backward out the room. She shook her head and sighed as she stared at the closed door. " Those are not maids. He is having so many of them around him, one more or less... Let's hope he never meets her."
Soon it passed weeks, moths and then a year since she came to the town. Victoria was now sixteen and as she signed the only one-year contract she planned to go back home with new experience and new stories about the outside world. She needed to wait a few more days and it was over.
The more excited she became, more down coasted became Katherine. " Child, won't you think it over. Stay here. Go for a vacation and visit family and then come back. What do you think of that?"
Victoria had to admit that she liked this place, but she shook her head. " Sorry, at home is now an important celebration. Knowing my family, they won't let me come back, so I can't promise you. But I will try. If they let me, I will definitely come back." She hugged the big woman that had tears in her eyes.
Katherine wiped her tears with the corner of her shirt and smiled. " So be it. I will wait for you." As she looked at the back of the girl that busily run around the kitchen and did this and that, her eyes suddenly turned dark. " There is another way to keep you here forever."
With heavy steps she walked up to the stairs and knocked on a big wooden door. A half-n.a.k.e.d maid opened the door and without any shame let her in. Her heart trembled for a second but then her steps became stable as she hardens it to a stone. " Sire, I think we need to discuss about Victoria. She is worthy. More than these..."
He looked lazily up as he stroke the n.a.k.e.d body of a dead woman next to him. " These are all weak. I hope you are right and she is strong enough for me." He waved his hand and knocked the dead body of the bed, and gathering dazed half-n.a.k.e.d maid into his arms.
Katherine left the room as the screams could be heard from inside. She walked slowly towards the kitchen and whispered. " Sorry child, I want you to stay here."
Day after that Victoria was sent as usual to a market place for food. She held her list in one hand and held small donkey with others as she had many things to buy. While she walked she heard a strange noise in bushes and was about yo run away when she heard a magnetic voice. " Help me, please. My horse knocked me of him and I think I broke something. Please..."
She moved branch and her eyes widened as she saw almost celestial being laying on the ground with his chest half-open. She could literally smell him and she liked it. Her heart started racing as she held him tightly and helped him on the donkey.
His eyebrows were scrunched from pain do her little heart felt pain for him. " Who are you and where should I bring you?"
" My name is Lord Fallen. I live not for from here. " He coughed and suddenly fainted.
She runs as fast she could back home, dragging the poor donkey after her. She already knew that her employer is Lord Fallen, but as she never met him, she, of course, didn't know his face. Anxiously she let the reins if the donkey goes as soon they neared the main door and then she started yelling. " The Lord is hurt, quickly help me!"
Soon servants came out and took him up to his rooms. She wanted to follow but was stopped. " the Master bedroom is not a place lowly servant like you can enter. It's good you saved him and he will show his appreciation as soon he asked up. Now go..." He pushed her into the kitchen and closed the door.
She wanted to say something but then realized that his words are not wrong. Her head started hurting, but she still went to the kitchen and reported what happened. Katherine patted her head and send someone else for food while she sent Victoria to rest. When the door of her room closed, Katherine patted the door and sighed. " Sorry my child, there is no other way..."
Day passed and Victoria started getting ready to go back home. But she felt something weird inside her mind. A thought. What if she meets him again?
Like any other young woman she got ingrossed in daydreams that she even cut herself while cleaning some chicken. Katherine sent her out to get water for kitchen, in the hope she will snap out of it.
While she was walking she passed the garden and there was he... sitting on the chair with one of his feet wrapped and raised on other chair, drinking tea and relaxing. She sneaked a peek at him and then sighed with resignation. " On the end, I am still not food enough. Maybe is better this way, I am leaving anyway in a couple of days. Master, have a nice and long life. "
She was about to turn around but suddenly he road eyes and their sights connected for a couple of moments. Her heart started beating fast and her face started getting red color. His whole being was bathed in the sun so he looked like some celestial being from stories. " Master..." She whispered.
He waved his hand for her to approach and smiled brightly at her. " Thank you for saving me. Luckily nothing was broken. I just hurt a little bit my foot and need to rest for a couple of days. You will get your gratitude gift later on. Do you have any wishes?"
She shook her head. " No master, I'm leaving soon so I just want all of you to continue being healthy and having a long life. "
He smiled at her shyness and liked her attitude. He thought by himself that she might be the one able to handle everything. Maybe...
" I would like you to come to my room later on. I will send a servant to you. There has to be something I can give you on your way back home. We'll talk about it later on." He smiled at her and nodded as she in a daze went to get water from well.
In the evening she was in her room and heard slight knocking. She opened the door and saw the servant that sent her back to the kitchen waiting for her. His eyes were still cold but he still respectfully bowed towards her and showed her way towards masters bedroom.
When she entered she saw him sitting by the window in one chair and his wrapped foot on a small one. He turned his head towards her and smiled lightly. " Come here, Victoria right? Probably the best name in this case..." His last words were just whispers and she couldn't hear them.
She slowly walked to him and then realized that he has just nightwear on himself. Her steps slowed down and she shyly stopped on a safe distance from him.
He sighed and rolled his eyes. " I know that there are stories about nobles attacking servants and doing things yo them, but seriously... in my condition can I do anything?''
She saw his bandaged foot and then his kind face and smiled. " Sorry sire, for misunderstanding you. How may I be if service today?"