Chapter 19 - Helen's Thoughts
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For a warrior like me, finding a liege worth serving is the most important decision in my life. And, the Young Lady had been so kind as to respect my late parents, even helped to arrange such a grand funeral. For my parents, who never found such respect and had their dignity stomped so many times to find such a good resting place, how could I not swear to follow them till the end of my life?
But, still... for the Young Lady to turn out like 'that'? Don't tell me that she bought me off those villains to... to do those kinds of things with me too?!
I honestly found it hard to believe, as no maid spoke of the Young Lady being like that. If she were truly lascivious, she would have made a move on the other maids, too. Rather, the maids said that the Young Lady was very innocent yet capable. There is no way that she was some lusty noble young lady who preyed upon her servants, that I could be sure of.
Then, why did she do that? And, with her personal maid? Is she someone special to the Young Lady? Hmmm... I had heard that love happens suddenly and is uncontrollable, so liking someone of the same gender... can be acceptable if it's for the right reasons.
I lay down on the bed and covered myself with the quilt, leaving only my eyes staring at the ceiling. My mind unknowingly kept on replaying the passionate scenes that I had seen just before.
Although it isn't something to be proud of, I was still inexperienced in those matters, so I couldn't figure out all that was happening or make sense of it, given how odd it was to see two grown women do that with each other. Yet, one thing that I could be sure of was... that they were having SEX.
Haah... and I just ended up stumbling there, getting curious about whether the Young Lady had been able to sleep properly or not, and... to thank her privately if she was still awake. And maybe... relay my oath of loyalty to her too...
Muuuh... what am I supposed to do now? Did the Young Lady see me? Does she know that I was watching them? What if she thinks that I am some peeping pervert?! I am certainly not that, my liege!
Father, Mother... what should I do now? Please give me some guidance here...
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Sarah behaved like a perfect sweetheart when I woke up again in the morning. She helped me bathe, changed my clothes, brought me breakfast... all things that she did every day. But, something was different, very different. The vague mood between us, the intentional touches here and there, and the staring into each other's eyes... that didn't happen usually.
Maybe it was because our relationship had gained some tenderness after everything that happened last night? Or, maybe because I saw Sarah as my woman now? Well, she is my woman for real now, no doubt about that. Or, maybe it was the little smile hanging at the corner of her lips, not usually noticeable by me, but now so glaringly obvious that my heart sped up from time to time.
Whatever it was, it was working wonders for the relationship between Sarah and me. From where we were just the day before yesterday, I felt things progressing in a very good direction.
Ahem! Now, something that wasn't so enjoyable... when I went to have lunch with my family, um... let's just say that Mother's gaze felt very funny yet unsettling as she giggled and winked at me while making sneaky jokes with Father about intimacy between new couples. Father looked clueless as ever, and my brothers kept fighting to catch his attention. Their mud-slinging antics were collectively ignored by us three adults as we kept eating peacefully. Another day spent well.
Curious about the well-being of my newest employee, I went to check on Helen, but she ran away the moment our eyes met.
Is it because of what she witnessed last night? Maybe I should give her some space and time to adjust to things here. I must not be impatient with her.
With nothing more to do, I ended up heading towards the library, hoping for the latest edition of my favorite novel to have arrived. Upon entering the library, my eyes met my brothers' as they stared at me with vigilance. But when they saw me taking a novel, they all went back to their own things.
Such a bunch of priks. Don't come running to me if you all screw up in the future, Assholes!
Sarah came up to me with refreshments soon, making me smile at her thoughtfulness. She was quickly becoming more and more precious to me as time went on.
"Well done, Sarah. You relax a bit as well. It's not good to get exhausted early in the morning."
Sarah shook her head as she spoke,
"It's nothing much, Young Miss. Apparently, a maid of the mansion got engaged and wished to ask for your blessing."
"My blessing? But which one is it? I don't even know her name yet."
"Jenny Rocker, twenty-six years old this year. A bit late for someone to marry, but her parents helped her get engaged to a wealthy merchant. Apparently, the engaged couple has good compatibility with each other. All she asks is for your kind words, as they would make a world of difference for her, Young Miss."
Thinking about the matter some more, I replied,
"Is that so? Then, let me write a letter for her and the parents of the groom. And I think that mother has already prepared dowry and gifts for the bride, right?"
Sarah nodded as she spoke again,
"Yes, Young Miss. Just like you said, the Madam has already prepared those. But, why write to the groom's parents?"
"Jenny was a maid of this mansion. I won't allow any of our people to be bullied by outsiders, even if they stop working here. Hmph, they all must think thrice if they believe that anyone can get away after harming my people. I must ensure that nothing bad happens to Jenny after she begins her married life."
Sarah stared at me for a while before she spoke again,
"Young Miss, you are really too kind. A truly pure and noble soul. Don't worry, this Sarah won't let your kind intentions go to waste. I'll make preparations to ensure everything goes as you desire. It would be the maid Jenny's fortune if she could receive the letter you wrote with your own hand."
Finding the offer acceptable, I nodded and replied,
"Oh, okay. I can handle that."
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