MISSING LADY
Heidi instinctively stepped back, the cloth still hidden behind her. "It's nothing, Rosie, J-Just fabric to be washed.
Rosie regarded her for a second before nodding her head. "Oh! I'll help you with that." She offered with a smile.
Heidi quickly shook her head, refusing the offer as politely as possible. "It's fine Rosie, you must be tired, I'll do it myself."
Rosie yawned, stretching herself a little. "You're right, I'm really tired now. I'll see you tomorrow Heidi."
Heidi nodded, relieved to see Rosie leave the laundry room. She quickly wrapped the gown and headed to her little room. As soon as stepped in, she hid the gown in an inconspicuous corner of the room.
She smiled when her gaze fell on Mrs. Doris who lay asleep on the worn out mattress. "Two more days, and everything will be fine." She whispered, to avoid disturbing the old lady.
She sighed softly, laying on her own mattress. She closed her eyes, trying to get what little sleep she could before the morning.
As the first light of dawn crept through the small window, Heidi stirred from her slumber. She stretched her limbs, yawned, and swung her legs over the side of the mattress. Mrs. Doris still slept peacefully, a soft snore escaping her lips. Heidi smiled, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She quietly got dressed, her movements practiced and efficient.
With a gentle pat on Mrs. Doris's shoulder, Heidi whispered, "Good morning, I'll be back soon." She slipped out of the room, closing the door behind her. She smiled when her eyes fell on Rosie who was carrying a pile of new sheets.
"Good morning, Rosie." Heidi chimed, her voice cheerful and bright.
"Ah, morning Heidi. Where are you rushing off to?" Rosie asked, placing the sheets on a nearby table at the corner.
Heidi sighed softly. "I was assigned to the guests, so I have to help them get ready for breakfast."
Rosie nodded knowingly. "Oh! I remember now, the twin sisters you told me about. Do tell me if they give you a hard time."
Heidi laughed at Rosie's words. "They are the best." She replied sincerely. She was happy to assist Anna and Charlotte as the girls were much different from the other ladies.
"Do check up on Mrs Doris, Rosie. Also, make sure she has her breakfast." Heidi said, her voice low and playful.
Rosie nodded with a smile, "anything for you, Heidi."
Heidi offered Rosie a warm smile before moving out of the slave quarters, greeting her fellow slaves as she walked by. The air was filled with the sweet scent of freshly baked bread wafting from the big kitchen, mingling with the sound of sizzling meat and lively chatter.
Heidi's footsteps came to a halt as she got to the door of the room. She gave it a gentle knock before opening the door. Her eyes fell on the sisters who were almost dressed.
"Forgive my lateness, miladies." Heidi quickly apologized, wondering if she had come really late.
"Oh, Heidi." Charlotte smiled, waving her hands. "You're right on time, Anna suggested we woke up much earlier. She didn't want to miss having breakfast with the royal family."
Anna's voice cut in, "who wouldn't want to have breakfast with the royals?" She asked, a bright smile on her lips.
Heidi laughed, coming to help Anna with her corset. "That reminds me, are you feeling better now Heidi?" Anna asked, worry evident in her voice.
Heidi was a bit confused but then remembered that she had feigned sickness the previous day. "I think I'm getting better, milady."
Anna nodded thoughtfully, "you could still take the day off and get much better if you want."
Charlotte hummed in response. "That's right, we did quite well on our own yesterday."
Heidi bit her lips, feeling her conscience jab at her. "It's fine milady, I'll help you prepare for the tournament."
Anna nodded, her eyes sparkling with excitement at the mention of the tournament. "I'm betting on prince Viktor." She added.
Charlotte raised her brows as she asked, "why's that ?"
Anna smiled as she said, "even though prince markus has his essence as an advantage, I believe prince Viktor tops him with experience. He is the commander of the armed forces of Bloodstone for a reason."
Charlotte nodded thoughtfully. "True, but I'll still bet on prince Markus."
Anna's sudden laughter filled the room. "Oh Charlie, I think your decision is biased. You must really be fond of prince Markus."
Charlotte's cheeks flushed, and her gaze drifted to the floor. "I-I'm not being biased, Anna."
A sly smile played on Anna's lips as she said, "whatever makes you happy, Charlie."
Heidi's thoughts drifted to Viktor. She didn't know what he looked like on the battle field but he seemed like a really smart and strategic person. She wasn't concentrating on the corset, and she felt it prick the cun her finger, making her wince in pain.
The sisters quickly turned to Heidi. "Are you okay?" Charlotte asked, her sharp gaze falling on the cut on her finger. "You have a cut, Heidi."
"Ah, yes. I accidentally cut myself yesterday." Heidi muttered.
"You should be careful, Heidi." Anna said, her brows furrowed in worry.
Heidi bowed. "I'm fine, miladies. I'll finish tying the corset."
Anna considered Heidi for a while before nodding her head, letting Heidi finish up the corset.
The girls put finishing touches to their faces, before leaving their chambers to the grand hall for breakfast.
Heidi walked into the next corridor, her gaze fixated on the ground. She hoped viktor wouldn't notice her absence in the grand hall. Lost in thought, she failed to watch where she was going and stumbled into someone.
"I'm so sorry...." Heidi began to apologize but felt her throat go dry at the sight of those copper green eyes that stared back at her.
Her gaze quickly fell back to the ground, her mind running in a frenzy. Out of every single person, she had to bump into Viktor. Fate must really be against her this morning, Heidi thought wryly, feeling his sharp gaze on her. She prayed viktor wouldn't recognize her as lady Adelheid or she would be in a lot of trouble.
Viktor's gaze fell on the slave who stood before him, her gaze fixed on the marble floor. "Are you trying to bore a hole into the ground?" He asked, his tone bored and lazy.
"W-what...n-no..." She stammered, her hands clutching hard on her slave gown.
Viktor's gaze narrowed at her voice. "Why did she sound slightly familiar? And why did her hair remind him of a certain clumsy lady?
He pushed the thought aside. "Then move aside," he said with a sigh. "Or would you prefer I walk over you?"
Heidi quickly moved away, as viktor walked past her without sparing her another glance. She heaved a sigh of relief, her heart still racing from the close call.
Viktor walked stealthily down the corridor leading to the grand hall. He pushed the door open and his gaze fell on the sea of faces gathered in the name of breakfast. His shoes clicked against the marble floor, dragging the attention of everyone as he walked to his seat.
"Ah! Viktor, you're here. Let's begin the breakfast." King Maximilian said, with a wide smile.
Viktor offered his Father a smile, before taking his seat beside the Queen mother. The maids quickly swung to action, serving tea and pastries.
Viktor's eyes swept around the table, a sly smile playing on his lips. He knew that most of the guests had a smile plastered on their faces, a facade to hide their true intentions. He looked around, his eyes searching for a particular ginger browned hair lady among the guests. His head slightly tilted in question not seeing her among the guests.
"Are these all the guests, grandmother?" He asked, leaning towards the queen mother.
The Queen mother furrowed her brows as she looked around. "Yes Viktor, although I wonder where lady Adelheid had gone."
Viktor leaned back on his chair, amusement playing in his eyes as he said, "I also wonder."
"I am excited for the tournament, especially since it would be among the princes." Viscount Thomas said and some of the guests hummed.
"Although," he drawled, his gaze falling on Viktor. "It seems most of the guests are betting on prince Markus. What's your take on this, prince Viktor?"
Viktor continued buttering his bread, as if the viscount didn't ask him a question just now. He buttered the bread, and took a bite before sighing in satisfaction. His gaze fell on the viscount before he said. "You can bet on the tournament ground if you so desire, viscount. I don't really care."
The guests who were waiting for viktor's response felt their jaws drop in unison at his reply. The viscount's face slightly fell but he immediately fixed his face.
Genevieve clapped her hands, to gain the attention of the guests. "I've decided to raise the stakes for the tournament."
"The stakes?" The queen mother asked and Genevieve offered her a sweet smile.
"Yes mother," Genevieve said "Whoever loses the tournament will give up his place in the court to the winner." She added and the smile on viktor's face broadened.