Back at the castle, Dydra held a basket in her arm, as she picked flowers in the garden, arranging them accordingly. Every palace maid hope to be given this type of task, because it is one of the most simplest work in the castle. All they had to do was pick flowers, set them in a basket accordingly, and then put them in vases inside the palace walls. Dydra, with three other maids, were given this task. They all were in different side of the huge garden, and they all mind their businesses. No one looked at the other's side, or try to make conversations.
Dydra already had an experience when it comes to flower picking, as she was given task like that back at the Thelmond mansion.
The scorching heat from the sun, hit her back, but there was nothing she could do about it. Her hair was in a single braid. She squinted her eyes, as she plucked a red rose, avoiding some of the thorns. She brought it close to her nose, and took a sniff. The sweet scent filled her nostrils, and it reminded her of the flowery scent the wash room at Oryen's cottage carried.
Not too far from the red-head girl, was a male servant. He had thick brown hair, and a tanned skin, which showed he works mostly outdoors, where the sun mercilessly hit him. His deep green eyes were fixed on the dark-skinned girl, with a flower close to her face. He dumbstruck by her beauty. With the angle he stood, he could only view her side profile. The bright sun stood on her shoulders that had her hair appeared bright red. His eyes trailed from her forehead, to her thick lashes, and the shape of her button nose. She captivated his heart, without saying a single word or even noticing him.
He had never seen her in the palace before? Was she a new maid? He wondered, as he dropped the sack he carried. Bringing his palms close to his lips, his tongue peeked out and wet both his palms. Taking his arm up, he used his fingers to brush and smoothen his hair, before dropping his hands to his side. He took a deep breath and started walking towards her. As he closed in, his hand left his side, going to pluck out a random flower.
"Excuse me, milady. I'm Joe Mackle, and must I say you have a lovely side view." He complimented, with his heart racing. He stretched forth his hand that held the flower, signalling her to take it.
Dydra was first startled by this. She placed the rose she was holding gently in the basket, and her eyes went to the person that offered her a flower. Her ocean blue eyes came in contact with his green ones, and she offered a soft smile, that melted Joe's heart. He couldn't take his eyes off her, as now that he was close, he noticed her ocean blue eyes, and plump heart-shaped black pink lips. He couldn't breath. He noticed the faint freckles at each side of her cheeks, that formed a crescent-like shape. Her dark radiant skin, with the combination of red-hair and ocean blue eyes had him wondering if she was an angel from heaven, that came to take rest on earth.
Dydra didn't take the flower. She set her lips into a thin line, as she started at the young man before her. From his fit, she detected he was also a servant at the palace. With the encounter she just had with Leonard the previous night, the young witch wasn't too keen on meeting new people—men.
"Thank you so much for the compliment," she offered him a polite smile, followed by a bow, she continued, "excuse me." With that, she turned around, and walked to another part of the garden, continuing her flower picking.
Blood rushed up Joe's face, and the flower he held fell. He bit his lower lip, and looked away in utter embarrassment. That was too forward of him, handing her a flower when she was in the garden? What was wrong with him? What was he thinking ?! He scolded himself inwardly, as he went back to lift up the sack he dropped earlier. He would have a better move next time, he promised himself, as he walked into the castle.
In the castle, Princess Naiya witnessed this little event with irritation in her eyes. The sight of a beautiful woman in a garden, reminded her of the lousy maid, Ellen. Her lips twitched and she smashed the cup of tea she was holding.
The maid behind her shook from this, as she wondered if she had done something to upset the princess. She was quick to get on her knees, picking up the broken pieces. At the same time, Naiya turned around to leave, in the process, she stepped on the maid's hand and the pieces of glass.
The maid's eyes widened from the pain she felt and her mouth fell open, but she didn't dare let out a tiny squeak. Naiya saw this and didn't apologize, instead she spat at the maid, and said.
"You should always remember your place, you rotten house fly!" Her head was held high, as she walked off. Blood gusted out of the maid's fingers, with hot tears rolling out of her eyes. Both from the harsh words from the princess and the pieces of glass digging into her flesh.
Halfway to her room, Naiya recalled the rumours of her brother bedding a maid, and she looked around her. Mads where around her, wiping the floors and walls. Her mother told her the maid had a dark skin. Now that her brother wasn't in the castle, it was the perfect time to find out who the maid is.
"You!" She shot at the maid closest to her, "get me whoever is in charge of you sloppy frogs. Alongside a hot cup of blood tea." She glared at the maid before walking off.
The maid was quick to do what the princess asked, her heart slightly aching from the princess referring them as "sloppy frogs."