CHARLOTTE'S POV
A lot of people irritated me, and I did not like a lot of people, but Chi...I hated Chi so much. Everyone avoided me except Chi who did the worst. Chi was super clingy and was always trying to be in my face, even when I made it so clear that I loved my privacy and space. The major reason I used our backyard to the public bathhouse was so Chi made no proposals to accompany me or go bathe with me. This girl was literally my nemesis. When I first came to Ramsbottom from Worcestershire after my parents demise, she was well...my tour guide as she showed me everywhere I know in Ramsbottom. She is a dork...nobody likes Chi. They all make fun of her and intimidate her, infact that was the reason I never wanted to be friends with the rest of them, how could they hate a girl so kind? Until Chi became everywhere. Grandfather liked her, he even birthed her. She was two years younger than me. Her father who was a soldier died before she was born, so it was just her and her mother. Chi understood my plight, but I could not understand her's. I wondered how she could go around still being so jolly despite how her father died defending people who did not even appreciate his only child, it vexed me...it was all so annoying. Sometimes, granny and her mother would spend lots of time together...Talking and sharing whatever gossip whilst Chi and myself spent time learning with grandfather. There were good times.
All of a sudden, Chi wanted to be friends with those irrational girls, it pissed me off. There were using Chi so bad, sending her on lousy errands and gifting her a few pennies only to later claim they fed her. I started avoiding her, she wondered what the problem was of course, but I was petty then and asked her to choose between me and the other girls. Well, Chi got upset and gave me no reply. I felt remorseful enough, still we cut close ties and became simple neighbours. And ever since that time, Chi became a bother and kept trying to get us back on track, but I am rather too mature to not notice how precarious friendship was. And here was she again...like every other day if I did not avoid her.
I turned to her slowly wearing a horrified rictus. She wore a honest smile and strolled further to me.
"Did I scare you?" She asked her smile fading. I scowled showing my displeasure before continuing on my way. This lady followed me.
"You know, I spoke to granny and she said I could join you fetch wood today" she said. I heaved
"Sorry if my old woman bothered you" I muttered, she ran up to me and shook her head vigorously "certainly not Charlotte, I volunteered actually, I want to help you...it must be so difficult doing all the hard work by yourself..." "I will let you talk to Reginald for free, so do not worry." I said. It was clearly the only reason why... "No-no...I just want to help, do you not want my help?" She asked narrowing her gaze like she did not not know already "thank you, but no thank you" I said in the most polite way I could.
"But I really do want to help..." "You don't have to" I cut her off "please..." She tried to collect the axe from me but I gripped it firmly
"No-thank-you" I said through clenched teeth. She held it firmly as well "let me help you" she grunted. I let go of the axe giving up, there was no need to struggle with a determined fool (only a fool does not know I do not like them).
"Fine" I said walking off.
She followed me from behind, slower than ever...she was just now-so determined, I wondered why her spirit died out so fast.
"Do you think he would like me even?" She asked quietly it's still the same ol' Chi I thought, always so concerned about people liking her or not
"Who?" I asked faking ignorance
"Reginald" she replied
"Why not...he has no reason to hate y..." she scoffed "I know you just want me to be quiet...you of all people should know nobody likes me." She chuckled again "I will be quiet." She ended. Her pace increased and now she was ahead of me, I could only notice she was sober, I felt no remorse
****
We returned back before the bell rang, I was able to finish early today because Chi assisted me, I was grateful even though I said nothing to her.
Getting home, I had two patients, it was the carpenter near our street; he had cut himself doing the day's work, and a nosy woman who was feeling so at home and laughing with Reginald, her laughter was hard earned, and it looked nothing like Reginald cracked a joke, he had a deadbeat expression infact. She did not look sick but claimed she had a fever. Since she was paying, I administered to her as well.
Granny invited C
hi for dinner, she was just too flustered, and refused nervously. So I had to convince her enough, knowing she really wanted to stay.
It was not something I enjoyed doing, but since she assisted me, I thought it was fair.
Reginald seemed upset at something, Something I did not really care for at the moment. We ate dinner in silence and Granny was overly kind to pack some food for Chi's mother. I almost yakked that we were not running a charity and could barely feed ourselves, but had some self restraint.
****
Lady Edna wore a smile, and gestured for Mason to sit. He did immediately.
"Thank you my lady" he said. She simply nodded
"You barely visit me..." She began picking the teapot. She poured the tea into two cups and gestured for her lady in waiting to serve Mason the cup of tea. The lady picked up the saucer carrying the teacup and walked to Mason's side of the table where she placed it carefully. Mason gave her a warm smile of appreciation, only for the lady to go crimson.
Lady Edna drank of her cup, but Mason rather did not. He could trust no one who was neither his mother nor his brother and sisters. Lady Edna was the least of people to trust even. She was a real devil.
"You do not drink" she said calmly even though she was upset. Mason gave another smile.
"I am on a fast my lady, his highness's whereabouts remains unknown. I can barely eat" Mason did not lie exactly. At first when he was unaware of Reginald's whereabouts he could barely eat properly. Lady Edna faked pity immediately. She shook her head slightly
"I shall pray for his safety, your grace" she said "he is the crown prince and what doom will befall us all if anything happens to him..." "Have you not been praying all these while, my lady?" Mason cut her off almost widening his eyes. Edna placed the teacup on the saucer and inhaled slightly
"Of course I have been praying..." 'for his death' she stopped herself from adding anything that could implicate her. Mason nodded, and peered at his reflection in the tea.
"Yunno, my lady..." he looked up at her now "... this is not the first time the crown prince's life has been threatened..." "We cannot say for sure Grand prince; if his life is currently facing threat..." "but mostly at your hands, isn't it... my lady?" Mason sounded calm, but his words upset Edna more than anything. She struggled with a frown.
"I find it displeasing that you make such a rash accusation, most graceful Grand prince" was Edna reminding Mason that he was known to be thoughtful? Mason smiled warmly making the lady in waiting confused, was the Grand prince accusing Lady Edna so calmly?
"Of course, Lady Edna. Forgive me...I only wary for the crown prince..." "He is your brother after all" Edna muttered breathing. Mason nodded, he wore a determined look
"Hence I have promised myself, as well as make I it obligatory to make everyone and everything pay" "you certainly should" she breathed
"He is gone" the court lady said shutting the door, she locked it. Edna wore a tight grimace. She stumped the table angrily.
"That puerile thing" she cursed. She averted her gaze to the door although not glancing even once at her lady in waiting. "He thinks he is anything... putting a crown on that ugly Helen's head..." she widened her eyes furiously "deposing me for a witch!" She shook her head vigorously "what possibly could Mason do?(!)" She barked to the fear of the court lady who wore a rictus. She decided to comfort her Lady
"It is alright, my lady..."
"It is not! Imagine that filth sharing a table with me!..." Edna yakked hitting the table again. Penelope inhaled the Lady was overreacting again. She was used to the fact that Helen was the queen and her children the heirs...or she was good at pretending it was so at least. Lady Edna was composed, and never raised her voice; she was too elegant to do so. But of recent the lady was thrown of her balance, and had a lot of mood swings.
"Get me a pen and a paper...I must write to brother..." She covered her face with her palm and sobbed "oh what has he done now...". Penelope immediately left to do as told
Penelope was Lady Edna's most trusted and loyal lady in waiting. Serving her ever since she was in her father's manor. Infact Penelope was part of Edna's dowry, accompanying her to her new home; the castle. Penelope knew Lady Edna enough to implicate her, but she could never. Lady Edna was and still is her salvation. Penelope came from a very poor background and was not good enough to serve a noble lady, besides her family owed Edna's family too much and the only way to repay was to sell their entire family out as slaves. That was when Edna stepped in. 'rather than selling them off, my Lord why not have the girl serve me as a lady in waiting?. She could work without pay for as long as she owes. And nothing happens to their family. She is beautiful father, I will love her to serve me' these were Lady Edna's words, and as the prime minister's only daughter he did whatever she wanted. Lady Edna did not exactly keep to her words. She showered Penelope and her family with gifts without her father's knowledge. Penelope could not be more or less grateful. To show her gratitude, she served Lady Edna with all her heart.
****
Coffin placed a layered bento flax on the table. Mason shot a glance at it then quickly averted his gaze. He was hungry, but did not feel like eating. It was nothing unusual to him. At least not after all the torture Lady Edna fed him when he was a nobody.
"I'm not hungry..." "It's noon, your grace. You have had nothing today" Coffin sounded upset enough. Mason inhaled
"How about I eat dinner with the crown princess?" He asked "I say you have been paying her too many visits for the rumours" Coffin muttered. Mason inhaled
"Have I?" "Yes"
He inhaled, and gestured for Coffin to serve the food. Coffin did immediately feeling relieved.
"What do they say?" he asked. Coffin glanced at Mason then furrowed his brows "you really want to know?" Mason almost bursted "Why then do I ask?..." "A letter" a court lady called from outside. Coffin walked to the door and collected the letter. He made sure to lock the door before returning to Mason.
"Is it from him?" Mason asked curiosity clear in his voice "yes...it says 'three days' " Coffin whispered
****
"Well, I have been lenient enough" Luther muttered Lincoln nodded vigorously
"If only you would exercise a little more of that leniency, my Lord..."
"I've been receiving a lot of letters lately..." Luther began roguishly "from!" Lincoln yapped beyond curious to know. Luther raised a brow
"Lady Edna..." Lincoln relaxed immediately and Luther continued "she worries about Grand prince Mason" "oh..." "But why need be that my own sister worries if you would just do your job right Lincoln?" Luther asked his voice stern and cold. Lincoln nodded "I am at fault, my Lord."
Luther chuckled dryly, Lincoln joined too nervous to control himself.
"I also received a letter from Baron Nicholas..."
****
Reginald told Maisy and Charlotte he would be returning home in two days. The two could not digest his words properly. Granny who was finding comfort in the fact Charlotte was finally taking interest in the opposite gender totally forgetting he had a family out there, and Charlotte who finally found a friend in him, It was almost bad news.
****
Apollo moved so the lady who kept peering at him almost warningly could enter the cottage which turned out to be hers.
"Who is he?" Charlotte asked no one in particular. Reginald strutted to the door and walked out to meet the 'stranger' .
Maisy furrowed her brows at Charlotte then squinted her eyes. Charlotte was always curious about everyone. It was literally driven by suspicion.
"A customer" Maisy replied which was really obvious. "He looks different... really different, since when has he been a customer?" Charlotte asked. Maisy was almost upset
"He is my customer, and that is it Charlotte" Maisy said firmly "I know Granny, but I'm curious...I have never seen him before, and he does not look like he is from around here" Charlotte said shrugging "well, he started patronizing me about a month ago" Maisy said thoughtfully. Charlotte rushed to the couch and crouched to its level. She leaned close to Maisy
"That is around same time Reginald came here. And I overheard that there is a search team from the government office in search of a man who looks exactly like Reginald. They have visited medicine stores as well. They know he must have been treated...they know he is alive" Charlotte strained.
"That is bad, we have to hide him... what if they come to finish what they couldn't?" Maisy sounded worried, too worried to see how pale Charlotte's face had gotten due to shock.
"Hide who?" Charlotte asked in a hushed tone even though it sounded like yelling "Reginald..."
"I am saying he is a threat to our lives, we have to send him..." "Where is your conscience Charlotte?" Maisy asked making Charlotte confused. She sounded like she was going to shed tears and it confused Charlotte even more
"Conscience? Granny I have none of that if it concerns our safety..." she stood upright and held Maisy's shoulders
"Reginald is..." She shrugged a shoulder deciding to be honest "... someone who has grown on me, I like him. I thought I did not, but I do. He's like an elder brother to me..." Maisy's shoulders dropped, she thought Charlotte was going to confess true love for Reginald, but Charlotte was none other than a heart grubber.
"... and seeing how he cares for you makes me feel more of 'family'... but I was wrong, I should have sent him to Sarah. I never knew him, I just took him in and you supported that because you are kind-hearted. But Reginald is trouble, and we should avoid him..." Reginald walked inside he stared at the two then his gaze settled on Maisy.
"Two wraps of butter Granny..." he noticed the tension immediately and walked to them
"What is the matter? Is Granny well??" he asked glancing at Charlotte who nodded.
"Her shoulders hurt" she lied moving away. Reginald walked to where Granny sat. He peered in her face. "She does look stressed, must be from churning. I tell you to let me handle it" he was behind the backrest now. Charlotte plaited her fingers all the while
"Hey punk, what are you muddling for? Attend to the customer" Reginald ordered Charlotte was hesitant "what are you doing?" She asked stubbornly
"Giving Granny a massage"
"Ughhh" she groaned leaving to deliver.
Maisy was overwhelmed by everything, especially because it seemed right. Reginald was trouble and they would eventually be pulled into the web.