4 Lightning rod
They say it's not worth crying over spilled milk. Who said it can go to hell.
Staring at the bottle that was now lying in pieces on the floor, little tears leaked from my eyes. It is not the first time that something like this happened, and I knew that they would not return.
Well, I think I'm not going to eat today. Great...
I stared down the hall, trying not to think about what those two were doing. At that moment, the Bitch passed in front of my room. She must have been surprised to see the door open, so she stepped inside, her hands on her hips, contemplating the situation.
Come on, girl, help me, and I'll take good care of you in the future.
She stared at me for a moment, shook her head, turned around, and left while muttering, "it's not my problem."
Oh well, I hope you enjoy being married to a man who abuses you physically and psychologically. After all, it is not my problem either.
With the Bitch having left the room, I sighed and looked up at the ceiling. The truth by far, being a baby is the most difficult since I was utterly dependent on other people. Also, I could not attract attention. If I started crying, someone would probably listen to me. Maybe they could attend to me, but they would realize my existence, which would generate questions.
Today, very few people know that dukes have a daughter. That is a very guarded secret in the mansion, and among that group, an even smaller one knows that I am the witch. That few people know this fact is what depends on my long-term survival.
If I started crying, more people would know of my existence, but the question would arise as to why the dukes are hiding me, and sooner or later, they will find people who know why. Which eventually will lead them to discover the truth, although it is very likely that Therrion ends up finding out and bribes them to keep the secret. However, it is well known that the more people know a mystery, the less secret it is.
Now, I think I'm doing well. If my condition as the witch had leaked, both butter and the Bitch would have left the mansion.
He comes.
And I'm not ready to face it.
Having resigned myself to not eating today, down the hall, I could hear Therrion's voice as she spoke to someone.
(Therrion) your job will be mainly to take care of the young lady.
Hmm, who could it be, I wondered? Having a clear idea of the answer.
Therrion entered the room. Behind him was a girl no more than 17 years old with short brown hair and a face full of freckles.
Seeing her, I smiled, both real and mental.
Upon entering, the first thing they saw was the broken bottle on the floor and the conspicuous maid.
(Therrion) There should be a maid with the lady now, but I suppose she has gone to find something to clean up this mess.
You assume bad, my friend.
In that, the girl approached my crib and leaned out to see me.
(Ruth) good morning miss. My name is Ruth, and I'll be working here starting today.
I raised my arms to her in the universal signal of babies to ask to be held.
She picked me up and put me in her arms, to which I started laughing and patting her face.
(Ruth) She's so cute. I think she likes me.
At that, Therrion sighed in relief. In general, my demeanor is no different from that of a doll, so maybe this is the liveliest moment I've ever seen.
As they finished going over their duties, they both realized that the maid wasn't coming back.
(Ruth) I wonder if the lady has already eaten.
(Therrion) Anyway, follow me. I'll show you where the kitchen is and Miss Leonora's mealtimes.
They both left the room, but not after long, Ruth came back with a bottle of milk, and I was finally able to eat.
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I was sitting in a wooden highchair. In front of me, there was a small plate with carrots and pumpkin porridge. Next to it, a small muffin with a candle on it.
Ruth brought her thumb and index finger together, creating a small flame to light the candle.
(Ruth) happy birthday Miss Leonora. Blow out your candle.
With one hand, she brought the muffin closer, and with the other, she held my body so that I wouldn't burn, while with her mouth, she showed me how to blow the candle.
I ended up blowing out the candle, to which she applauded and started feeding me. After each spoonful of porridge, she gave me some muffin.
When I finished eating, she gave my "cake" a sad look.
(Ruth) I'm very sorry, miss, I know I had told you a lot about birthday cakes, but I couldn't see Mr. Therrion, and this was the only thing I could get.
As she said that, her expression turned sad. Although she is supposed to have a rotating cycle with the other three to take care of me, she always had conflicts due to the negligent way in which they treated me, so she gave herself to the task of being my servant.
Since that day, she has been in my care for several months, more than enough time to realize how things were around here. The budget I've had was always low, but things got worse due to various problems in the duchy, which is why Therrion has been away from the mansion for several days trying to fix the problem.
She looked sad, and I could see her struggling to hold back her tears, to which I patted her head to comfort her.
(Ruth) thank you miss, I don't understand how your parents can't love such a good girl.
Meh, nepotism.
She cleaned everything and then bathed me, but she noticed that the dress she chose was a little too tight when I was getting dressed. At the sight of it, she bit her lip to swallow her courage.
(Ruth) I think pink no longer suits you. I'll choose another.
She puts me in a blue dress that suits me a little better and then prepares a small basket to go out to the patio.
The courtyard of the Croiss mansion leaves a lot to be desired. In general, almost the entire mansion leaves a lot to be desired. Good workers tend to tire of dukes quickly, leaving room for negligent ones who are only hired for their parents' relationship, being more or less a similar situation to the trio of maids from before. All of this only causes the dedicated few like Ruth and Therrion to accept massive loads of work.
It's worth mentioning that since she arrived, Ruth has not had a day off.
Upon reaching the patio, she spreads a tablecloth under the shade of a tree where you can see the entire flow of workers from the mansion.
From our position, we are seen by a couple of workers circulating in the yard, but they simply ignore us and do not pay attention to us. This is because the Dukes have finally acknowledged my existence, but they justify my abandonment with the excuse of my deficient magical ability.
From the basket she brought with her, Ruth takes out a group of wooden blocks of different colors and shapes and leaves me playing with them while out of the corner of her eye, she watches the people crossing the yard.
A short time later, a boy of no more than 20 years old, slightly plump with curly black hair, left the mansion. When he saw us, he approached us.
For her part, Ruth got a little nervous and began to fix her hair as best she could with her hands.
(Aaron) Good afternoon Miss Croiss, good afternoon, Miss Dhior.
The young man bowed little and glanced at Ruth.
(Ruth) oh, good afternoon Aron, you look pretty tired.
The boy, whose name was Aaron, stretched his arms; you could hear his joints popping.
(Aaron) I've been locked in the kitchen all morning. This afternoon, the Duchess has a tea party, so they have had us preparing sandwiches from very early in the kitchen.
(Ruth) well, then I guess you shouldn't be hungry ...
Ruth said as she tried to hide the basket she brought with her.
When the boy saw the basket that she was trying to hide, he simply smiled.
(Aaron) I get paid to cook, not to eat, and the Duchess goes crazy if we Chefs eat in the kitchen.
While saying that, his stomach growled, so they both ended up laughing.
He sat with us while Ruth pulled out some sandwiches from her basket.
Aron put a sandwich in his mouth. Then he seemed to remember something.
(Aron) by the way, I brought the lady a gift.
He did a complicated sleight of hand, and with a quick pass, he made appear a small box he had hidden. Ruth carefully removed the lid, revealing a small cake with a strawberry on top.
(Ruth) Aaron, didn't you say the Duchess gets mad if you steal food from the kitchen?
(Aron) don't worry about it, I made it with leftover ingredients anyway, and I was cautious not to get caught.
Ruth took the cake out of the box, this one relatively small, and at first glance, it could pass for a meringue-covered cupcake, but it was just the right size for me.
They both ate the food Ruth had prepared while they were talking, and I ate my cake.
When she finished eating, Ruth took out a glass from her basket. With her thumb and little finger, a small stream of water came out of her fingers and filled the glass with water. Then he wet a handkerchief, and I use it to clean my hands and mouth.
The conversation between the two continued very pleasantly until Ruth's gesture darkened, and she asked concerned.
(Ruth) Tell me, Aaron, do you know if Mr. Therrion has already returned to the mansion?
(Aron) I don't think he'll be back anytime soon. The tax hike riots are not over, plus the farmers have gone on strike, and I don't think Sr.Therrion will reach a deal anytime soon.
(Ruth) meanwhile, here at the mansion, the Duchess is having a tea party.
They were both silent for a moment, just thinking about the peculiar situation of the dukedom. They were able to stay like this for a couple more minutes before anyone said anything, but the voice broke their silence of someone calling for Ruth.
When I looked up, there was the mansion's chief maid, a woman in her late thirties who can't wait to retire. She walks up to us, to which Ruth quickly gets up and runs to meet her.
Aron lowers his head and silently collects his lunch items, while from a distance, Ruth seems to be talking about a serious topic. Shortly after she returned, however, it was only to ask Aaron to stay with me for a moment. Something has come up, and you must return to the mansion with the head maid.
I had gone back to my blocks, and I was simply sorting them by shape and color. Seeing me so focused, Aron lay down on the grass and helped me giving me the blocks.
The afternoon passed, and Ruth didn't come back, so Aron began to worry.
(Aaron) did you ask me if it would be okay if I took her back to her room?
Listening to it, I pretended to lose interest in my blocks, and in a bit of a wrong way, scattered them on the grass. Seeing me act like this, he started putting them back in the basket next to the tablecloth on the floor.
(Aaron) well, I think you already want to come in. I don't think she cares anyway.
He took me over, and we entered. On the way, he met other servants and asked them to tell Ruth where we were.
Upon entering my room, he got me down and asked me what I wanted to do.
I went to a small shelf, and took a book, and went back to it, which made him a little nervous.
(Aaron) I'll try ... just because you ask me to.
He begins to read with difficulty but at a steady pace, unlike Ruth, who was the daughter of a baron and, therefore, lesser nobility. Aaron was just a commoner, so until recently, he couldn't read. That is why Ruth has been teaching him during the afternoons. For my part, to help his learning whenever I can, I forced him to read my books to give him an excuse to force him to read.
After a while, Ruth finally came back. However, her gesture was severe, and her face was grim.
(Aron) what happened? You don't look very good.
Ruth was silent for a moment until she finally spoke.
(Ruth) a messenger came from my house; apparently, my marriage has been chosen.
They both fell silent, and a deathly silence filled the room. From here on, what happens depends entirely on what I do.
Although there are things that will vary from life to life, there are other things whose end will always be the same unless I interfere. That's why it's up to me to make Aaron and Ruth escape from the mansion.
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It's been close to a month since Ruth's marriage was chosen, and these pair of idiots don't seem to be able to pick up on each other's feelings. Ever since she came to the mansion, and she gave herself the task of taking care of my upbringing entirely on a small budget. The only person who has helped Ruth with her work is Aaron.
As I have already said, Ruth is the second daughter of a baron from a rural territory. Therefore her experience with children was quite limited. On one occasion, during Therrion's constant travels through the region, Ruth was quite at a loss about what first solid foods she could feed me. At that moment, Aaron, who was a young but quite talented Chef, came on the scene.
Aaron was the oldest of 9 siblings, and with the death of his mother at a young age, he had to learn many things about taking care of children. And seeing a rather cute and dedicated girl who had foolishly set herself the task of raising a child without the slightest experience, he decided to help her. In exchange for his help, Aaron only asked him to teach him to read in exchange, since despite being the most talented Chef in the house. The dukes pay him a pittance for just being "an illiterate peasant."
At some point in their interactions these months, the two ended up falling in love. And what can I say? They make a pretty adorable couple, a little dense maybe, but that wasn't a crime the last time I asked.
Any way. I have seen an infinity of situations and possibilities. I have managed to verify that the best possible ending for both of them is that they end up together.
That's why during this month, I have forced situations where both are left alone or done everything possible to create situations where they can see each other outside of Aaron's lessons.
I would constantly ask Ruth to go to the patio connected to the mansion's kitchen or pretend to cry if Aaron decided to leave early one day. However, this time they seemed incredibly hard-headed, so I was upset.
At that time, the three of us were in my room. Since almost no one came around here, it was the only place in the mansion where they could be together without being seen by anyone. And while I was "playing" with my blocks, the two of them were in the middle of reading lessons.
I just stared at them with a weary expression.
(Aaron) lately, the lady seems a bit upset.
I wonder who the culprits are...
(Ruth) her baby teeth are coming in, so I think she's been pretty uncomfortable.
I approached Ruth and lightly tugged on her uniform. When we've been together, this has become the signal to tell her that I was already hungry.
(Ruth) oh, the lady already wants to have lunch, could you stay with her for a bit when I come back?
(Aron) no problem.
Ruth put a little bookmark on the book they were reading and left the room. Aaron reached into his pocket when she was already quite far down the hall and pulled out a handkerchief.
I walked over to him as he unfolded the handkerchief, and I could see a small silver ring. Seeing him, I couldn't help but smile. This time you took a long time, idiot. You almost ran out of time.
He noticed that I was looking at him, and he brought the ring slightly closer to me.
(Aron) Do you like it miss? I know it is cheap in the eyes of a nobleman, but it has been in my family for five generations. I want to give it to Ruth, but I know I'm not capable of giving her the life she's used.
His expression turned sad, and he stared at the ring intently. Seeing him in that state, I sighed. Believe me, if she gets married, the life that awaits her is not good. And if she stays with me, it's not better either. That you guys end up together is the best possible ending.
He puts the ring back in his shirt pocket, and soon Ruth arrives with a tray.
(Ruth) could you put the lady in her high chair, please?
He picked me up and took a moment to pull the ring out of his pocket, and with a quick sleight of hand, tucked it into a fold of my dress.
After lunch, while I play, Ruth continues with Aron's lessons.
(Ruth) you have improved a lot. You no longer get stuck when you read.
He puffs up his chest with pride and declares.
(Aaron) The lady is constantly asking me to read to her, so I can't disappoint her.
Ruth puffs out her cheeks in a pout.
(Ruth) I don't understand why the lady always wants you to read to her. When I read a book to her, she always seems bored.
(Aaron) You're pretty monotonous at telling stories, and I always try to put *emotion* into it.
I sigh and shake my head. I've read the same books a million times without exaggeration, that's why I always find them boring. Yet this time staring at Aaron. Don't you throw roses partner, I'm the one who has to endure the ridicule you always do.
At the end of her lesson, she closes the book and puts it away. As she does so, she sighs, and without looking anywhere, she declares, trying to sound animated.
(Ruth) well, this will be the last lesson. You've improved a lot, and that makes me happy. I wanted you to learn to read before you have to go home, and seeing how well you do now makes me think that at least I achieved that ...
Hearing her words, Aaron puts his hand in his pocket but stops midway and just looks at her silently.
I knew he wouldn't have the balls.
I was tired of this absurd romantic comedy. I took the ring out of my dress, walk over to Ruth, ask her to come over, and put the ring in her hand.
(Ruth) what is this miss? Where did you get it?
Ruth looks puzzled at the small ring that I nodded in her hand. Meanwhile, Aaron panicked and checked his pocket only to find it empty. When she insisted on her question, I pointed to him, and she stared at him.
(Ruth) Aaron, what is this?
(Aron) ah... I... this...
I sighed heavily. Do I have to do it all myself?
I took their hands and brought them together, to which Aaron seemed to calm down.
(Aaron) Ruth, I know I can't give you a luxurious life but I ... But if you ...
She lightly placed her fingers on her lips and began to cry.
(Ruth) yes, Aaron ... My answer is yes.
The two of them kissed, and I raised my fist in victory. This time it did cost.
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In the early morning of the day, before Ruth's parents come for her, they both came to my room. They were hooded, and Aaron had a backpack on his back.
I pretended to be asleep. I don't like goodbyes anymore.
Ruth kissed me on the forehead, and a couple of tears fell on me.
(Ruth) goodbye Miss Leonora, take good care of yourself.
(Aaron) goodbye, little one, thanks for everything.
They both left the room shortly after I got up and looked out the window. After a while, I saw them pass through the patio and then disappear into the night.
This is the best, I can cancel Ruth's engagement if I wanted, but the road I have to travel is dangerous. And the people who accompany me have a "thorny" future ahead of them.
I stayed a few more minutes, just staring into the darkness. The two of them will have a difficult time, but both are hard-working and determined. They will be fine, and I can take care of them from the shadows in due time.
The next day, after more than a month of absence, Therrion finally returned to the mansion. Upon arrival, he found the news that a maid eloped with a Chef.
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I was sitting in a chair in my room. Since Ruth left, no one has come to attend to me. However, I was cautious and took precautions. Although I cannot heat water, I can bathe and dress.
Therrion came in and was surprised to find me in such good shape.
(Therrion) good morning miss, I've already returned, sorry to tell you, but I think your maid has left the mansion.
I kept looking out the window, thinking about the things I would do from now on. Out of the corner of my eye via Therrion, and without much disgust, I replied.
(Leonora) no problem Therrion, but could you please arrange a meeting with my father?
It is worth mentioning that Therrion almost fell on his head hearing me speak?
