Dread of the Night

Rain didn't bother to ask more and ate quietly.

When she noticed the maidservant still stood at the side with folded hands beneath her apron, she couldn't help asking,

"Are you going to watch me eat? "

She let down a hand to scoop a spoonful of the pottage's broth.

Stella nodded meekly.

"Within the chambers?"

"Yes, my lady. I'm merely here to assist. Please don't mind me."

"I see."

Saying nothing more, she cut a piece of and chewed tentatively.

As much as she tried to ignore the sneaky glances of the maidservant, after a while she couldn't bear not saying a word.

She dropped her utensils, picked a napkin and dabbed the corners of her lips. "You keep glancing. What is it? Do you have something to say?"

The maidservant must not have expected to be caught. She stammered nervously, "I-I-I am really sorry, my lady. I didn't mean to offend you. I haven't served a princess before and I just…"

Rain watched the maidservant fidget and fiddle with her fingers.

"What is your name?" she asked and the girl's doe eyes lit up.

"My name is Stella, my lady."

Stella appeared older and her character was cheery and warming.

Whereas she differed a lot in demeanor from the princess , the young servant was well tailored for her.

The corners of Rain's lips lifted to a small smile as she stood. "Thank you for the food, Stella. Do have a good night." With that, she held up her long dress and walked to rest at the edge of the bed.

Stella beamed with bright eyes and picked the empty food tray. "Good night, my lady."

She blew off the lamps and candles in the room, leaving just a lantern by the bedside, before slipping quietly out the door.

But the moment she left, Rain got down from the bed and relit the lamps.

Then she went back into the bed and tucked herself in, burying her head underneath the covers.

Her wide open eyelids trembled gently eyelids and her palms gripped the covers so tight that her knuckles were pale.

Rain Attor dreaded night time. The darkness, the cold, the loneliness, and the nightmares that accompanied it.