My eyes peered open to a blank room or perhaps, more like an oasis. Everywhere was dark, quiet and felt so chilly.
I could feel the air clouding around me, making me shiver at its cold effect.
I move forward, again and again.
The only thing I could then hear was the loud stumps I was making on the floor.
It frightened me, forcing me to wonder what footwear I was on.
Probably heavy boots as it sounded more like it, though surprisingly I felt light, like I was barefooted.
I stopped walking, planning on touching my foot to indeed confirm but just when I was about doing so, a blinding light broke through the darkness, mercilessly piercing into my eyes.
I shaded my gaze, immediately taking hurried steps out of its way.
But suddenly I heard...
"Almira!" Someone screamed, causing me to be startled.
The voice was hoarse but feminine. I could even sense a bit of familiarity with it.
It called my name again, this time a little lowly and soft.
The softness mixed with some slight harshness reminded me of someone but I couldn't guess until...
"Almira!"
"Mother!!" I gasped in shock seeing mother before me.
She was clothed in the last wear as that night but this time, she was even more extremely covered in blood and deep wounds.
Her right arm even seemed to be almost mangled from her body.
"ALMIRA, KILL HIM! SLICE OFF HIS HEART! TEAR HIM INTO PIERCES, DO IT!!!"
Her yell was much louder this time, almost deafening my ears but I felt no pain.
This was most likely a dream but I wanted it to last much longer for I had missed her so much.
"Mother....." I called but she interrupted me.
"KILL HIM!" Her red eyes dug into mine.
I felt fear but wondered who she was referring to. Luther?
"Hey!" A voice broke into the oasis, causing me to be distracted from mother.
I felt a soft tap on my arm and a hand gently pulling me up.
"Wake up!" The disturbing person said.
I was yanked from the dream into reality and a light groan escaped from my mouth when I felt my back stretch a bit.
I opened my eyes only to see Kira at the side of the bed, holding my arm and staring into my eyes.
"Good morning, Miss. I've been calling you for quite a while but you kept sleeping." She pouted, as if she had been waking me up for hours.
"What are you doing here?" I felt disturbed and it was evident in my tone.
I didn't like her presence, I have never liked her presence so she definitely would be one of those faces I wouldn't like to see in the morning or any part of the day.
I didn't think of her as a bad person, no, she didn't seem like she was really but since she was brought in by Orson, I couldn't bring myself to trust her at all.
"I told you yesterday that I was now your personal servant, don't you remember?" She gaped at me surprised, like if she didn't expect me to forget.
"I can't leave your side as your servant. I have to be near to you always, don't you know?"
She arranged the pillow I slept on and raised me up, making me sit upright on the bed, a shocked look appearing on my face just as she finished speaking.
I remembered she told me she was my personal servant yesterday but I didn't believe her at all.
I was even happy with her gone but now, here she was, repeating the exact same words I thought she was joking about yesterday.
"I don't remember wanting a personal servant...." I didn't feel glad. I was even more confused.
Why would Luther assign a personal servant to me? To maybe spy on me? Was that his intention? I mean, what else could he have in mind? Wasn't he that heartless?
"I was told to take care of you and attend to you for the time being, why aren't you happy?" She said with an eye roll, an iota of annoyance roaming in her voice.
"I'm not here to spy on you, okay?...if that's what you think. I'm too busy to do that anyway. I only accepted this job cause I'm too bored these days and don't want to go back to Alloynie too soon. I also yearned make friends but you are making it too hard for me."
Somehow, she sounded glum.
I felt somewhat bad. Like I knew I've been too harsh on her ever since I met her but I couldn't be blamed totally.
My heart has grown distant, I dare not trust on someone.
But perhaps I should be a little friendly to her, even if it's just for a short while.
"Alright..." I cleared my throat, standing from the bed, feeling somewhat slothful and sleepy.
It's okay to be lazy though for I have nothing to do today but it's weird to still be sleepy after having some strange grisly dream of mum.
The dream... I just couldn't get it off my head. I felt so uneasy with it.
"Where is Evelyn?" I had asked.
"She left about an hour ago to go perform her usual duties. You really don't expect her to still be over you, babying you, right?"
"You..."
"Alright. You have to rise and take a bath. I'm sure you must have been informed but you would be leaving this room today."
Hearing those last words made me sigh.
I really didn't want to leave this comfy side and move over to the maid's dorm rooms.
I knew for sure that I would be gossiped a lot there and wouldn't be allowed to have some peace.
"Why do you look so sad?" She chuckled with a tease in her gaze. "I was right with you being fond of Evelyn. You don't even want to leave her side, even for a second."
"Shut up."
She laughed, making me roll my eyes. Somehow even though it was just for a little bit, I felt entertained with her presence.
Although I had denied it multiple times but I knew deep down she had much charisma. It was hard to not like her.
I would be happy for sure if she moves in with me to the maid's dorm but I didn't know how she would react to finding out I was Rupert's daughter.
She might hate me like the rest of the people here, so it was better to maintain my distance so I wouldn't get hurt when she starts treating me like trash.
It has been a while now since I woke up. I had taken a bath, cleaned up my mouth and had dressed up in comfy clothes and was now packing up my belongings with Keri.
Although she didn't want me to assist her with it but I had insisted, probably because I didn't feel at ease with her handling my stuffs alone.
"All done!" She squealed joyously as she locked up the zip my every belonging were under.
I couldn't get why she was excited. My belongings weren't much, I wasn't even sure it took more than seven minutes to pack them all up and arrange them properly.
Or maybe she was excited she was going to have some maids interaction while I was sulking about it.
Sighs...
If only she knew how much I hated those maids and any interactions with them.
"Hey Miss, we have to get going now. I'm sure there are no more stuffs of yours in here, right?" She grinned.
She had been addressing me as Miss since this morning because I haven't yet told her my name.
She had asked for it but I wasn't ready to give it to her or lie. Perhaps, I should enjoy this personality of hers before it gets ugly.
I nodded and made to leave.
Of course, she was going to carry my box, not meeeee.
"Can you walk?" I suddenly heard behind me.
I turned to her with a scoff. "I aren't crippled..."
Yes, Charlotte had wiped my back or perhaps my whole body but not much on my legs.
I could walk all this while, it was just the heavy ache on my back restricting me but this morning, I felt less pain there, so less I could almost not feel anything.
Really, although I wouldn't say it out loud, it was all thanks to Keri's marveling medicines and herbs.
I left the room with her beside me.
I knew Evelyn knew of my departure so she obviously wouldn't be surprised to come back and see me not here.
I knew she was going to miss my presence but she could visit anytime at the maid's dorm.
And besides since I'm a dish maid, I would always be available at the kitchen which she could come over, even randomly and see.
As we walked, we could see most maids looking over at us and sniggering.
The expressions on their faces were all mocking.
Due to my now social anxiety, I bit my lips and tugged on to the hem of my dress, feeling the urge to turn back and find somewhere to hide but looking over at Keri, she seemed not bothered and even held a nonchalant smile on her face.
That did give me the confidence to keep going.
"These maids...." She finally spoke as we walked. "They seem not to like you very much."
She added, glancing at me.
I wanted to speak and spit out a 'You have no idea' but I was distracted by something else.
"Um, Keri..." I stopped walking, making her stop too.
Confusion came over at my face as I stared at our surrounding and then back at her.
"We are not approaching the maid's dorm, where are you taking me to?" I queried.