Fixing Part 1

I look at the old lady, "What is your name again?"

She glances at me, "Bertha madam."

BERTHA?!

SHIT, WHY IS THIS BITCH STILL HERE!

This woman feeds Anastasia poison under the orders of Anastasia's mother and then spreads false rumours about her and to make things worse has a hand in Arlan's death.

"Bertha, I am giving you 5 minutes to leave my sight and never return. If I ever see your face again in this household I will not hesitate to cut your head off on the spot! Now leave."

"But Milady, I have done nothing wrong-"

"Oh, I am making sure you never do anything wrong, now leave my sight."

She just stands there not moving an inch.

Who does this woman think she is?!

She is but a maid.

"Bertha, did you not hear a word I said? Or are you deaf? Isabela, escort this piece of shit out of here."

Isabela hesitated a bit but understood that if she didn't follow my orders, she would be next.

"YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME, I WORKED FOR THIS HOUSE FOR 40 YEARS AND HAVE TAKEN CARE OF YOU SINCE YOU WERE A CHILD. WAIT TILL THE DUCHESS HEARS OF THIS!"

I stand up and place Arlan gently on the couch. I approach this idiot and slap her very hard.

"Exactly who do you think you are, the queen? I hold a higher status than you but I should listen to you? Don't make me laugh, I was being nice but this is getting out of hand. Please don't make me repeat myself. If you want to live I suggest you know you're place."

I sit, put Arlan back on my lap, and pat his head softly.

Bertha is escorted out and continues to scream while doing so.

How annoying.

"Sister, why did you do that?" He asks full of concern.

"You see, there are some people who want me gone, I have got to get rid of them first but of course, I am going to keep you very close, you got that?"

"Of course big sister, I always want you here!"

I always want you here as well Arlan, I will not let you die, if that's the last thing I do.

I glance at my maids.

"Catherine, Isabela, I would like you both to swear on your lives that you will be devoted to me and me only. If I ask you to do something risky, you will do it, if I ask you to betray someone, you do it, if I ask you to kill, you will kill. Do you both understand?"

They hesitated. Then Isabela raised her head.

"Madam, if we do all this what will we get in return?"

"Such a silly question, of course, you will get riches, status, power and best of all, protection. The lives you used to live, forget it all. All those hardships you had faced will be no more if you devote yourselves to me. That I promise you. Now do we have a deal?"

Hope was seen in their eyes, they must have had it rough. 

They both fell to the ground kneeling. 

"OF COURSE! WE SWEAR ON IT, MADAM!"

They said enthusiastically in sync. With no hesitation at all. Perfect.

'Now that that's out of the way, every morning you will wake me up at the crack of dawn and bring me the latest newspapers and inform me of any gossip floating around ABOUT ANYTHING. You both must mingle with the other staff to make sure my name isn't ruined and make close connections with the ones who give you the most information. If any books are published that show any signs of intel we have not harboured yet purchase them immediately. As for my dresses, I want most of them to be handmade and buy one of each of the latest attires in a colour that would suit me.'

They both are trying to grasp all the new work they are now being given.

'I have now dubbed both of you my personal and only maids, all the other work I'm sure you're already aware of and I don't have to make myself clear. I almost forgot, since my breakfasts will always be with the main family then my lunches and dinners will always be with Arlan, for lunch if the weather is promising we can go to the gardens and if not one of the rooms indoors. For dinner we can have it in one of our rooms, understood?'

'Yes, Madam.' They both seemed happy with the news, they were technically beaming, do they have that much faith in me?

I glanced at Arlan and he was the happiest of all, his smile was sending beams of light and my eyes were blinding.

'SISTER, DO YOU REALLY WANT TO SPEND THAT MUCH TIME WITH ME? OH PLEASE CELESTIA MAY THIS NOT BE A LIE! PLEASE OH PLEASE OH PLEASE!!!!!!! I HAVE SO MUCH TO SHOW YOU SISTER AND TO TELL YOU OH I CAN'T WAIT FOR LUNCH AND DINNER YAY!!!'

I can feel my ears bleeding, but anything for this little cutie.

'Catherine, you will escort Arlan to wherever he needs to be at the moment and watch him until it's time for lunch, I have to deal with a few things is that okay Arlan?'

'Sis, it's no problem BUT DON'T BREAK YOUR PROMISE ABOUT LUNCH OK?'

'I surely will not.'

'Yayyyyyy, Catherine let us go I HAVE SO MUCH TO PREPARE FOR BIG SIS!'

'Yes, Master Arlan.'

I watch as they leave the room and turn my attention to Isabela.

'Bring me the other maids that came with you, the head maid and Arlan's maids and nanny, I have some people to keep in check.'