Chapter 152: i would rather die

When a family had their meals together, it was mostly filled with laughter and smiles, they joked and the whole atmosphere made you feel better, feel relaxed but here as if the daggers were getting thrown at each other by the eyes. The atmosphere was so heavy that I sat there stiffly and waited for it to end.

I took a deep breath only when they all left for their work, I would have given remarks to all of them, but I just was not feeling that way.

Looking at the files was much better for now.

"Your highness, that girl," said Kate hesitating and only that's when I remembered I had not discussed the terms of the job with the girl.

"Oh, yes, bring her to me,'' I replied and she took a breath of relief. I wonder what had the girl done to keep the feisty Kate on pins and needles.

"Your highness" they both dragged the girl in who was looking at them, as if they were butchers, sending her to get slaughtered.

"Olivia, right?" I asked though I remembered the name correctly so that I could gain her attention, the girl who was putting all her force backwards to run away stiffened when she heard my voice and her back straightened immediately, she stood up straight like a newly recruited knight.

"Come and sit here," I ordered and her eyes widened even the other maids looked surprised, well I know maids did not sit in front of their master but she was not here as a maid, though I knew she was a commoner.

"It won't be necessary, your highness. I have been sitting all the time since yesterday, my muscles had turned stiff by all the sitting, standing is better for me.`` The girl though was afraid like a mouse, was quick-witted.

"Alright, then let me keep it short since we both have work to do.

I would ask you a few questions and I need quick and honest replies from you. Okay '' I asked and she nodded.

"What is your name?" 

She furrowed her brows and looked at me but did not reply.

"You failed in your first question, Olivia. You did not reply to me"

Her eyes widened and she panicked, "but.. But, your highness, you do know my name already." she reasoned and I chuckled.

"I do, but that shouldn't matter to you, I asked you a question and you have to reply, that's what I had asked you to do and you failed,'' I replied as a matter of fact, so she was quick-witted, but still needed time and proper guidance to hone her skills.

"I... I didn't know, your highness, please have mercy." she bowed.

"Do you know only this line, little girl, let me tell you there is no mercy in this real world, this word looks good only in storybooks.

Now tell me where you live."

"In the southwest part of the empire, a village named Cazenovia." see that's what we called speed.

"What does your family do?"

"My father works in a bakery and my mother washes clothes, me and my sister work in the boutiques and my brother is too young to do any kind of work"

"So almost everyone in your family works, then your financial condition should be good," I asked, confused as she had worn tattered clothes and her injuries were telling that Edgar or her family had not treated her well enough.

She shook her head, "my father is habitual of having alcohol, your highness, so we are not able to save much." and why was I not even surprised! It was a new way of them mimicking royals, but we never drank it up to a limit where we could not be able to live without it.

"Who inflicted these wounds on you?" she bit her lips but when her eyes met mine she bowed and replied.

"It is due to continuous handiwork and a bit of punishment due to not having perfection in my work, your highness" 

"You mean, Edgar did that," I asked and she nodded.

"Very well, why are you so afraid of being here?" This was making me most curious, most of the commoners carve to work in the palace as the pay was triple to ten times more than they could earn through rich commoners, good facilities and even three holidays in the month.

"I... I did not want to be a maid, your highness" she replied hesitantly as the other maid's eyes turned sharp and she cowered but didn't change her reply.

"Why so?" I asked, raising a brow.

"Because I enjoy making clothes, your highness and I want to live a peaceful life." her voice was barely audible when she spoke the last part but we all did hear it clearly.

"And you think life in the palace is not peaceful?" I asked, raising a brow, this girl was more interesting than I thought.

She bit her lip and did not speak further, either afraid or embarrassed, she had made it clear that she would not tell the reason.

"Very well, I have not brought you here as my maid, but to do the work you are doing. I would provide you space and all the resources you needed with a few staff so that they could help you and I need dresses like you had made yesterday. All the dresses would be for only me, but you will get good pay, triple the amount you were getting in the boutique.

But you are not allowed to go home, not even thrice the month which is usually allowed. Not because of the workload, but I want you to keep your money safe and to keep you safe too, your family can come to meet you here in the presence of Lina, she would take care that no one would ask you for money, they will get only what you wanted to share with them. Any questions?" I asked and she nodded.

"How many times would I be beaten for my mistakes and I will not give my innocence, no matter what would be the rank of the noble, I would rather die."