the letter

When they got outside the house, Larissa was the first one to speak.

"What was it that you wanted to say to me sir Leon?"

"I was given this letter to pass it to you by lady Minerva."

During her first months here, she had been working as a caregiver to lady Minerva's mother and when the old woman moved to the countryside, she stopped working there but lady Minerva had promised her if she could find someone looking for a caregiver, she would definitely recommend her.

Taking the letter from Leon's hold, she gave a small bow ready to leave but before she could, the young man stopped her.

"Larissa, wait."

When all her focus fell on him, a short lived silence reigned between them.

Like most men, he also happened be attracted to her. She was a beautiful maiden who attracted attention everywhere she went but as she had burried herself in sorrow, she never noticed any of that.

"Larissa, I really like you and I was just hoping that I could get to know you better. I want to be just more than an acquaintance."

For a moment, she was taken aback by his words. 'Did the duke's son like her?!'

Caught off guard by his confession, she did not know what to say. Not that she would not have loved to have such a nice man as a partner, but because she had not expected the sudden confession.

"I..._ I just don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything but just think about it and I will be waiting for your answer."

Taking her left hand in his, he lifted it up towards his own lips and planted a soft kiss on its back.

"Have a good night milady."

Larissa did not move from where she stood until he disappeared through the gate. Even after the rain had ceased pouring , the lingering chill had refused to disappear and rubbing her forearms, she finally got inside only to find her aunt and causin waiting for her and before she could even register anything in her own mind, a hard slap fell on her cheek causing her to stagger backwards.

"You slut, how could you let him touch you?!

Those words did not come from her aunt but her cousin whose face was burning with rage.

"You should stop calling me that Maya because between me and you, we know who the actual slut is."

Saying that, she quickly walked away from the two women and her aunt's raged face turned to look at her daughter.

"What did she mean by that Maya?"

"I also don't know mother."

When Larissa locked her room's door, she moved towards the bed and sat on it's edge and without any hesitation, she opened the letter that had been delivered to her.

"Hello there Larissa. I hope that this letter gets to you in good health.

A friend of mine has told me that she knows a family that is looking for a caregiver and knowing that you were great at your job when you took care of my mother, I did not think of any other better person than you.

If interested, you should pass by my house early tomorrow.

With regards, Minerva

Folding the letter and placing it on her bedside table, she padded towards the window and pushing the curtains aside, her eyes fell on the darkness that loomed all over the kingdom.

The night held a special kind of blackness, the kind that did not hold even a single star in it but it was a warm black that hugged her no matter what and within it's safety, she could feel her soul more clearly. That innocent born spark that grew from within her gave her hope for a better future.

Subconsciously lifting her hand and touching her left cheek that was still burning with pain due to the slap, she started to think about what would happen if she could actually get the job.

All she had to do was to endure her family's ill treatment for a month or two and then she would search for a boarding house where she could lease and live a peaceful life.

With her eyes staring at the dark abbysal of the sky, she parted her pink lips to say,

"Mother, if you are up there, just show me the right way because I feel like I am broken beyond repair."

Taking her own time while comprehending on what to do with her life, her eye lids started to become heavy and giving in to the sleep that was about to take control, she headed towards the bed and buried herself under the blankets.

At the break of dawn, the rising sun cast an orange hue across the morning sky, it's golden shafts of light piercing through the clouds casting an airy glow and lazily, Larissa pushed the blankets aside.

After her morning preparations, she took her own leave without giving anyone a notice because she knew that her aunt would not allow her.

When she got to madam Minerva's house, she found the lady watering her flowers and upon noticing her, the woman offered her a smile.

"Larissa, how have you been?" As she inquired, she started to make her way towards Larissa to which the two of them met halfway.

"I have been doing good madam Minerva, how about you?"

"I have also been doing great. It is good to know that you considered the spot that I got for you " The woman said with a smile but her smile fell when she saw Larissa's bruised cheek.

"What happened to you dear. Did someone hit you?"

"Not really... I.._"

Before she could finish her statement, another voice that belonged to a man was heard and both ladies turned their focus on the man.

"Lady Minerva, I have delivered the gown to lady grace."

The man said and Minerva was quick to respond,

"Thank you Michael. I would also need another favour from you if you don't mind. Would you please give Larissa a ride to lensat."

"Well, she is lucky that I am heading there."

Once Larissa was given the address of the house that she was supposed to go, she left with the man named Michael.