Chapter Seventeen: Nerves

The last few days were rest days for me.

Madam Anis had insisted on me resting in my small room and not doing anything at all. She came daily to administer herbs to me and helped clean the dressing on my back. The wound had gotten smaller compared to when it was fresh but it still reopened anytime I exerted too much force in lifting an object.

Prince Gaustin didn't say anything concerning this, which surprised me.

He was usually snarky and sarcastic and I expected him to come knocking at my door the next day but he didn't. I couldn't believe he actually let me rest. it was really difficult and confusing to understand him.

One minute he was all sweet and sunny, the next he'd turn cold and aloof. I didn't know what he felt concerning me, but I couldn't care less.

When Madam Anis felt I was strong enough to at least walk around, she brought me back to Prince Gaustin's room.

He was sitting by the window, reading a book. I noticed his obsession with books, he was always reading everyday and he read all kinds of books. It was surprising to see a man reading, but it wasn't my matter so I didn't ask.

I waited for a few minutes before he got up and walked to his wardrobe, his back facing me. After rummaging through it, he brought out a few clothes and threw them to me

"I need these cleaned now" he ordered and went back to reading, not once facing me.

I was stunned.

I hadn't even fully recovered and he was already doing this to me! "But my prince, I have been given instructions not to carry out any strenuous work or else my wound will reopen" I tried to explain but he dropped the book and faced me "Strenuous?! Your normal, everyday duty is now Strenuous?! And so what if the wound reopens?! Can't you bear it?! Isn't that what you're supposed to do? You're a maid, that's what you are. Cleaning my clothes is what you are supposed to do. The few days I let you rest were the maximum I could give you, only because of Madam Anis. Shouldn't you be grateful?! You are my maid! This is what you should do! So I don't see any reason why you should complain" he told me haughtily and I blinked, unable to say a word

"I want these clothes washed by your hands and no one else's. And believe me, I will know if you don't wash them yourself, so don't even think of playing smart with me" he added as he gently picked up his book and continued reading.

I gaped at him, then averted my gaze to the clothes on the ground.

They were so many, how would I be able to finish them on time. I was so sure my wound would reopen but what could I do. I sighed as I bent to carry the clothes and I felt a slight pain in my back. I winced and bit my lower lip, but he acted as if he didn't hear me. I grunted in frustration and packed the clothes, heading for the laundry room...

I got to the laundry room and dropped the clothes near the wash sink. Then I began to carefully select the clothes for washing. I separated the less important ones like his garments and under garments from his costly robes like his purple linen and velvets.

I was almost ready to wash when I heard excited chattering outside and the door creeks open.

A few girls came in and the chattering stopped when they saw me.

One of the girls whom I instantly presumed to be their leader because of the way she carried herself walked up to me

"You must be the new maid, Darla, Madam Anis' niece. Nice to meet you" she smiled sweetly as she stared at me. I just returned the smile

"Oh don't be shy! My name is Yeena and I'm a fellow maid just like you, although a little bit higher seeing as I'm your senior. If you need help with anything, I can show you the ropes. You might get exhausted adjusting to a new place" she offered and I nodded "Thanks Yeena, but I'm fine" I said and turned back to continue washing when I heard her again

"Oh! The prince's clothes! My! Don't use that soap to wash them, he doesn't like it. It's scented and he has an allergy to it" she exclaimed and I raised my brows in confusion.

Prince Guastin never mentioned that I had to use a particular soap for his clothes.

She left and came back moments later with a small bag in her hands "Use this one. It's his preference as it doesn't have any smell. Plus, it washes really well" she offered again and I smiled before collecting it from her

"Make sure to use a generous amount of it if you want the soap to lather" she said again and I nodded my head. She turned to the girls "Let's go girls, we shouldn't disturb Darla now. She's got a really important job in her hands" she said cheerfully, waved at me and left.

The smile on my face slowly turned into a scowl. I looked at the bag in my hands and tore it open, gently pouring the contents on my palm.

I brought it close to my nose and sniffed

"Dye"

I said to myself

I used dye on a daily basis in Lerwelchia so I was familiar with every type and their function.

This particular dye was really effective. It wouldn't show the moment you put it in the water, but after the cloth had dried, you would definitely see the effects of the dye in it.

So this is what she wanted me to do!

Put the dye in the prince's clothes and ruin everything.

I was so glad that I caught onto her plans before she could carry them out. I didn't like her or her crew and I knew they didn't like me too.

I kept the dye aside and resumed washing. By the time I was through, it was almost noon and I was in pains. My wound had reopened due to the fact that I had to bend multiple times to wash and rinse the clothes. I sighed heavily as I walked back to his room. When I got inside, he wasn't there. I decided to use the opportunity to explore his room.

I checked the washroom, his wardrobe, reading areas and others. The last was his bed. I felt reluctant at first, when I got near the bed. But I gathered courage and let myself plop on it. It felt so soft and comfy, I didn't know when I closed my eyes and dozed off.

I was awakened by a cold touch. I opened my eyes to see silver eyes staring down at me. For some reason, I didn't seem to be afraid of them. I felt hands running round my thigh and I let out a soft gasp. I tried to talk but I was tongue-tied. Then the hands slowly retreated and the silver eyes too, leaving me all alone in the darkness.

I opened my eyes and saw a pair of beautiful hazel green eyes staring down at me "You really have some nerve Darla"...