I'm Keeping You

Aurelia locking horns with madam Leanna or scaring some random intruder was nothing new or worrisome so they hadn't bothered with checking on what happened outside. But her allowing someone in and the said person coming on their own will, that too unafraid, was definitely surprising.

Rose stood in front of Aurelia with her head bowed. "Tell me now, why do you want to work for me? And, I only want an honest answer." There was something in her tone, an underlying warning that made shivers run down the little follower's spine.

Although she seemed cold, Rose had an indication that she could be honest with her. Perhaps the atmosphere gave her a soothing effect. The silence was serene with only an occasional crackle in the fire. Although what she said outside wasn't a lie either, she decided to be bluntly honest here.

She somehow felt that her chance with Aurelia depended on her honest expression of truth so she didn't hide. She sat on her knees with a bowed head and said softly, "being an omega, I have always feared for my life and my honor. I was the only omega in a family of betas with good social standing and so they disowned me to avoid being laughed at."

Rose felt a ball of tears stuck in her throat. It was hard to accept one's own unimportance. They didn't accept her like a family should and were willing to kill her if not for their childless maid who begged them to let her raise the child as her daughter. She was brought up in her family's servant quarters, watching her cousins and siblings having luxuries of life and putting up with their bullying. To her, her real mother was the woman who raised her. Even in the household, her name was registered as the maid's daughter.

Her mother taught her every skill that she could pull off but couldn't teach her to be brave and how to face harassment. Since she was officially the daughter of a maid and an omega at that, the only job she could do was the job of a maid. Last year, she was kicked out of the household after her mother's death. They were afraid that someone might discover the omega's real identity.

She worked at another household for a few months. She had faced bullying at her own house previously as well but it was nothing compared to what she had to bear at the new place. A friend of her mother helped her get a job at the new place. She was assigned the cleaning duties at one of the young masters' courtyards. Not only was the young master a rotten egg of the family, he used to have visitors like him as well and countless times she was able to escape the tragedy with barely a hair's distance.

Those were the darkest days of her life. She was walking on eggshells. Every moment trying to complete her job as discreetly as possible and stay in the shadows. She was losing her mind in the constant battle of trying to stay sane and safe. Her dignity and honor were at stake every moment. It wasn't until the rotten young master got killed in one of the useless disputes with his like-minded people that she breathed a sigh of relief.

She was lucky to land a job at the Einar household. She had heard that maids there were treated fairly better than any other household in the city. This time, keeping her previous experience in mind, she had requested a job at the gardens. She was naive to believe that by avoiding duties at living quarters, she could avoid the danger and possible harassment.

The incident today helped her realize that she was only safe when she had someone powerful to protect her. She still felt the alpha's creepy gaze boring holes in her body. Not only did she admire the courage this young miss had despite being an omega, she also loved how people feared her presence and avoided her company.

If she was recruited, Rose could serve the master she admired and at the same time save her honor and job. In case of Aurelia's rejection, on the other hand, she couldn't imagine the results. She didn't wish to live her life in fear and one day die at the hands of some lustful alpha. The thought alone was enough to make her shiver uncontrollably.

She vowed to serve her young miss with heart and soul, if given a chance. Truth sparkled in her eyes. There was a moment of silence after she was done with her story. "Look up." She found her body acting on the command. Aurelia's gaze pierced her own for a long while before she finally exhaled a long sigh.

"Fine, I'm keeping you." She then turned to Aunt Feng, "Aunt Feng, please explain the duties to her."

"At your command young madam." Aunt Feng bowed and then signaled Rose to follow her to the kitchen, who sprang up on her feet with a bewildered expression. It was true that she begged young madam to let her serve at this courtyard, but honestly, she didn't have much hopes because young miss Aurelia's courtyard hadn't accepted a new maid for years.

"Th..thank you my lady. I'll forever be indebted and loyal to you. Thank you so much for giving me a chance. I'll make sure to prove it a right decision." She kotowed several times but Aurelia waved her hand to indicate that it was nothing. Rose turned to follow aunt Feng to the kitchen when Aurelia stopped them.

"Ah, aunt Feng, I'm sure there's some time before the office of internal affairs turns down for the night. I want you to first go there with her and get her registered under our courtyard. Since I have made the decision, let's not wait for tomorrow." Once again, Rose was left speechless.

Shouldn't they observe her for some time before taking a final decision? Despite this being her own wish, she felt the process a little too rushed. The young omega madam was a little too trusting. Starting today, she vowed to protect her madam from cunning people since she had seen more world than her young miss who spent her life abandoned in a courtyard with a few maids.

Thinking so, she completely forgot that the reason she joined this courtyard was to be protected and not protect. She had no idea that her goal had changed only moments after achieving the very goal.