Corridor

  Amelia didn’t remember how she ended up standing there in this part of the Main building.

  She shouldn’t be there, Duchess Lucretia’s room were to the other side and she hadn’t been in this side of the building since

  “Are you sure the Herbalist said so Lady Veronique?” a familiar voice had reached her ears, hearing such thing Amelia started sprinting in its direction till she ended up in the doorway of a room that should be unoccupied.

  She froze over out of shock

  “Of course they did! They said with this you can walk in the sun!” it was Lady Veronique with no doubt, back when the brat was shorter and wore her hair in elaborate braids.

  Braids that Amelia used to do.

  “Alright, I trust you Lady Veronique” her eyes snapped to her younger self as she took a container from that wretched child’s hands and opened it to start applying the contents to her skin

  She knew what came next.

  It would burn.

  “No! Stop! Don’t trust her!” Amelia had yelled lunging towards her self trying to stop it from happening to spare herself from the pain that would come from it and the soften the betrayal.

  But one can’t change the past.

  Amelia woke up with a strangled scream, her heart beating wildly as she looked around and finding herself in the Maid Quarters

  ‘It was all just a dream’ she had told herself as the remains of it passed through her head ‘no, not a dream, a memory’ she clarified to herself then her face twisted to anger ‘a reminder of how rotten that brat really is’ she rectified once again as she gripped into the sheets of her bed.

  Memories of her skin burning like never before just filling her hatred.

  ‘She mustn’t get back to the Main Wing’ a plan started forming behind her eyes, one that would ensure the Duke would never consider doing such thing ever again.

  Miss Hawkings’ Study

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  “Let’s practice it again” Miss Hawking had said as she clapped her hands

  “It’s my pleasure to meet you Lord Goliath” Veronique had curtsied to Noah, he along with the other guards and their maids were pretending to be the nobles that would arrive at the Banquette.

  They had been at it for hours, to the point Mos and Bos had fallen asleep in a corner.

  “For the last time Veronique, it’s Lord Goldi” the older woman would said almost exasperated

  “Sorry” Veronique had apologized, but those names were all turning into a blur in her head and she was tired, it didn’t help that she remembered the noble’s faces from their portraits but it was hard on her to remember which guard was posing as who, it added to the confusion as they all played more then one role.

  “Alright, we will try this again tomorrow” Miss Hawkings had said resigned “it’s time for your lesson with Mr Doppelganger”

  ‘I wonder if they know what that word actually means’ Veronique had thought ‘Mh could there be something fishy about him? Nah the author wouldn’t be that oblivious’ a knock to the door caught everyone’s attention

  ‘Is it him again?’ Veronique thought with a sly smile

  “Come forward” Miss Hawkings had said and so the figure of Mr Jerkings had made its way in the room

  “Am I interrupting? I didn’t see any of the Guards outside so I had thought the lesson was finished” the man had shyly said

  ‘Ever since Mr Jerkings heard about the Skill teacher proposing to Miss Hawkings he started to come around more often’ Veronique had observed ‘I think he got a crush on her’

  “No, Mr Jerkings we had just finished up” Miss Hawkings had reassured him, at which he visibly peaked up

  ‘Yep he’s totally crushing on her’ Veronique was sure of it and watched every moment with great interest, not even knowing why this was so entertaining to her

  “Oh I am glad to hear it” Mr Jerkings had said “Could I have a moment of your time for a walk in the garden then?” he invited her

  “I am sorry Mr Jerkings, I got to write my report and I am sure you have duties to attend to as well” Miss Hawkings had refused looking apologetic

  ‘Aw come on woman’ the redhead was definitely cheering for Mr Jerkings

  “You are right Miss Hawkings, I am sorry I disturbed you” the man in question seemed heartbroken

  “Maybe we might have time to arrange something after the Banquette” Miss Hawkings had offered instead blushing a little

  ‘Wait does she like him too?’ Veronique eagerly thought keeping down a squeal

  “I will look forward to it” Mr Jerkings had immediately cheered up

  “Are you two flirting?” Veronique was aware that maybe she shouldn’t have said such thing too late, both Miss Hawkings and Mr Jerkings had gone completely red in the face from the embarrassment at being called out

  “What does flirting mean?” Rhea had asked

  “LADY VERONIQUE!” the two of them yelled at her in chorus, at which Veronique had recoiled knowing she had done messed up

  “I-it means c-courting Lady Rhea!” Lucia had come to her rescue

  “Yes that’s exactly what it means” Penelope had backed her up on it

  “Oh so Miss Hawkings and Mr Jerkings are courting?” the child had asked looking at the duo who seemed like wanted the floor to swallow them on.

  Mr Jerkings suddenly coughed and tried to compose himself

  “Miss Hawkings would you like for us to start courting?” he had proposed

  “I would love too Mr Jerkings, but we will have to wait a less busier time” Miss Hawkings had responded sounding quite genuine

  “We could start by sitting near each other at Dinner if you want” Mr Jerkings had suggested

  “What would the other staff say about it” the older woman didn’t outright refute

  “I doubt that’s a secret anymore” Veronique had pointed out earning a glare from Miss Hawkings who ended up saying with a tired sigh

  “I suppose that’s true, then we shall see each other at Dinner then”

  “I wouldn’t miss it for the world” Mr Jerkings had said with a full smile, that seemed quite out of place on his usually stern face.