As I hurried down the corridor, my mind was a whirlwind of emotions. His unexpected compliment lingered in my thoughts, leaving me both flustered and pleased. It was rare for him to express such sentiments, and it caught me off guard. I couldn't help but wonder if there was more behind his words, my mind replaying the conversation between his mother and him I ease dropped on, but I quickly dismissed the thought, focusing instead on the tasks that awaited me.
I walked to the kitchen to grab the lunch prepared for me and the other slaves. The kitchen was bustling with activity in preparation for lunch. I could hear the faint sounds of preparations echoing through the halls, a subtle reminder of the hierarchy and expectations that governed our lives. Despite the chaos, I felt a sense of relief, as this was an activity that occured daily, it was prove that life with his family around wasn't so far from our normal life. Once the head cook saw me at the door, she pointed to the meal meant for us, a meal I recognized as the left overs from the morning. I pulled out a trolley and arranged the food trays on it. After a while, one of the maids, Varisha helped me .
I hurried to the room, dragging the trolley as quietly as possible down the long hallway but stopped right outside when I heard them whispering. I pressed my ears to the door, so I could hear them.
" we should tell her" a voice I recognized as Mesa said. I couldn't see much but I know Mira would probably be nodding her head in agreement . A male voice, Vista I presume replied," I'm not sure we can trust her yet". Every one in the room refuted that in their own way. " but if we are going to do it here we might as well tell her" Mesa said and sounds of approval left the other two ladies lips, Vista sighed loudly before saying," Let's just wait for the others first but I still...".
I stepped back at this point, quietly dragged the trolley back a bit,before noisily dragging along to inform them of my presence. I don't know if they knew I was easedropping or not but I'll rather not confirm it yet. It didn't take a genus to know they were talking about me but I prefer not to know just yet. I haven't come to terms enough with the fact that master might be in love with me, at least his mother believes he might , I don't need another conversation playing in my head before I sleep, I probably should stop easedropping .
I enter and sit beside them setting the table and serving myself, they all look at me as if weighing whether I had heard something by my looks, I decide to play it safe by saying," what? Are you not hungry? I know it's this morning meal but it's something". With that they take their plates and begin to eat. Vista's eyes still remained on me, moving over me like a hawk, he narrowed his eyes on my collar but I pretend not to notice, focusing on Mesa who was describing one of the times she had followed her master to the market, Mira nodded along chipping in once in a while.
His eyes stayed on me until Loma held his hand. Once his stare was gone, I was able to relax and fully get into the conversation. I have to admit but I miss this, being in the company of other slaves. It is nice here with master and all but something it gets lonely. Master's company is good but he's barely around, plus he is my master and there is a limit to what we can talk about, most of the quaristin servants don't like me save the cook and a few of her apprentices who are only civil to me, they rarely ever talk to me. I have my books but there is only so much reading one could take. This is the bright side of master's family arrivals , although I can't say the benefits outweighs the downsides.
The day wore on, and as evening approached, the household settled into a more subdued rhythm. I took a moment to catch my breath, stealing a glance out the window at the setting sun. Its warm glow bathed the grounds in a golden light, casting long shadows that danced across the landscape. It was a fleeting moment of tranquility, a reminder of the beauty that could be found even amidst the demands of our daily lives.
With a sigh, I returned to my room trying badly to ignore the growing feeling of fear in my heart and the thoughts of everything I have heard lately. Whatever challenges lay ahead, I knew that I could face them with confidence, buoyed by the quiet strength of the shared understanding between my master and I .