Chapter7
*CHARYL*
“Isn’t she pretty? The master will definitely choose her.”
“She is not as pretty as I am.”I scoff.
“We both know she is.”
“Then I won’t give her the chance to get chosen.”
“What do you mean? Hope you are not planning to do something evil.”I chuckled as she said that.
“You should know me by now Xing er I will do anything to have the master. We all know that the master is definitely gonna choose me next and I won’t let one Claire ruin my plans.”
“Take it easy Charyl remember you almost did the same thing to me when I got chosen.”
“Your case is different. She might end up dying from what I’m about to do to her. I’m gonna make sure she visits the cold room today.”she gasped as I said that.
“The cold room is death itself. Don’t you think that is too harsh.”
“I should have known better that you are a coward.”I look at Claire as she tried to use the chop sticks on the noodles. Too bad her beauty is about to go to waste.
*CLAIRE*
Daniela tried to teach me how to use the chop sticks. I finally learnt how to use it and we finished our food after which me and the other new arrivals of yesterday were taken on a tour round the estate.
Geez its just too big and my feet were starting to hurt from walking.
After the tour, we were given various assignments to do. I was asked to sweep and mop the floors of a large hallway along with three other girls.
It was a strenuous work indeed and my back was starting to hurt. So much for being a slave.
“You will get used to it in time.”One of the girls said when she saw I was already tired.
“Thanks. I’m Claire by the way.”
“Samantha.”
“We are Julia and Julie. You are beautiful.”the twins giggled together.
“Are you guys like telepathic?”
“Yes we are.”they replied together.
“Wow I have never seen telepathic twins before.”
“Everyone has been talking about you.”
“About me? Why?”
“We think the master is going to choose you as his bed chamber maid.”
“Why does everyone keep saying this?”I sighed tiredly.
“Cause you are beautiful.”
“What are you all doing talking? Get back to work.”Charyl said walking into our conversation as we continued with our work.
“Claire come with me now.”I wave the girls goodbye before walking away with her.
She took me into the kitchen and dismissed the two girls there.
She handed me a tray containing a glass jug of juice and a glass cup.
“The master wants you to serve him.”I felt my heart skip a beat.
“The master… but why …me?”I stuttered.
“How am I supposed to know? Just do as you are told.”She smiled at me and pushed walked me out of the kitchen.
I heard the bell sound three times as I walked out of the kitchen. I wonder what that means. Why would the master want me to serve him? What if I do the wrong thing? What if I get in trouble?
Not going at all maybe be worse. I got to the master’s chambers and was stopped by some guards in front of his room.
“Who are you and why are you here?”
“I am here to serve the master with this juice.”I said nervously and they exchanged glances.
“The master doesn’t drink juice.”my eyes widened as he said that.
“But…”
“Who knows if she poisoned it?”
“What? No I didn’t. I would never do such a thing.”
“Dala have this juice tested with the WG 06 food poison detection kit.”the other guy dragged the juice from me and walked away with it.
“Just pray that you are not trying to kill the master. You will be killed for that.”he scowled at me.
“I would never do such a thing.”I was already sweating profusely.
The guy came running with a tube in his hands within minutes and he gave it to the mean guy.
“How dare you try to poison the master?”he yelled kicking me on the floor.
“I don’t know what you are talking about? I would never do such a thing.”I cried on the floor.
“Take her away.”
“I haven’t done anything wrong.”I yelled as Dalia lifted me off the ground carrying me roughly on his shoulders.
“Master Master.”I was made to kneel down in front of all the maids. My eyes met with Daniela and she gave me a ‘what’s happening?’ look.
I guess the master was already choosing a bed chamber maid that explains the bell that rang. I’m sure Charyl must have planned this.
He turned to look at me as our eyes met and I almost lost my breath. He was even cuter than I imagined him to be. He had this cold look on his face. Really cold and it’s kinda hard to read his mood.
“What has she done?”Assistant master asked.
“She tried to poison the master with juice.”he said showing them the rest tube and the juice.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.
“I don’t know what they are talking about? Charyl sent me…”
“Liar. I never sent you anywhere. Master she’s lying.”
“Trying to poison the master is a big offense. You could be killed for it.”Assistant master yelled.
“I didn’t do it. Charyl is lying.”
“Liar. You planned to kill the master don’t try to drag me along with your evil deeds.
“I didn’t do it.”I looked at the face of the master but he remained cold and silent.
“Throw her into the cold room.”
“Master please you can’t do this. Claire is innocent.”Daniela fell on her knees trying to beg for me.
“Do you have any proof? I guess not take her away.”
“I didn’t do it.”I yelled as they carried me out.
*DANIELA*
“This should sound as a warning to most of you. The cold room is death and I don’t think you want to be there. Too bad she just made herself a scape goat.”
The master sighed and looking at all the maids in the room. He finally chose Charyl, that witch. I bet she framed Claire. She smiled happily as that master choose her.
“And there we have it. Xing er hand her the beads.”it was the symbol of the bed chamber maid.
Xing er placed the beads on her head and she smiled happily.
“I believe we are done here.”the master said walking away without paying attention to Charyl.
I was worried about Claire. I ran out of the hall straight to where the cold room was.
“What are you doing here?”the guards asked.
“I need to see my friend.”
“I’m sorry you can’t see her.”
“Just let me talk to her please?”
“Fine. I give you just two minutes’
“Thank you.”The cold room was made of metal since metal is good conductor of heat.
“Claire.”I called looking into the room through the glass on the door.
*CLAIRE*
“Mom said not to give up.”I kept assuring myself that as I paced round the room. I was getting confused, this place is damn cold.
It was like I was put in a freezer. My breath was getting cold and I was already starting to pale out. Claire hang in there.
“Claire.”I felt a bit relieved seeing Daniela.
“Daniela I need to get out of here. I won’t survive one minute here.”
“You can’t Claire.”she cried.
“What do you mean? Are they gonna let me out?”
“No Claire. They are gonna let you freeze to death.”
What? I can’t die here. Not this way, you’ve gotta do something Daniela.”
“Claire don’t die, I’m gonna get you outta of here.”I ran out of the cold room to the master’s chamber as fast as I could.
“What are you doing here?”Dala asked.
“I want to see the master.”
“I’m afraid you can’t see him. He’s busy.”
“But its urgent.”
“Do you want to die?”Dala asked drawing his sword out.
“Let her in.”I heard the master’s cold voice.
I pushed my way through the guards and went into his room falling on my knees.
He was busy scribbling something on a piece of paper, while his brother sat opposite him.
“What is it?”he asked without sparing me a look.
“My friend Claire, she’s innocent. She just got here yesterday and will never try to kill you. She was framed and I ask that you reconsider your actions.”I said with tears falling off my eyes.
“And why should I believe you?”this time he lifted his eyes up.
“Because….”
“Master Master.”I turn to see three girls forced themselves into his room. I think Samantha, Julia and Julie.
“I’m sorry master we tried to stop them.”
“Forcing yourself into the master’s room without being called upon is an offense punishable by death. Are you aware of that?”Assistant master asked and they fell on their knees.
“Yes but we can’t just watch an innocent person be punished.”the twins spoke together.
“Charyl did call Claire when we were cleaning the hallway by the lake, after that, she was brought before your presence for trying to poison you. I believe Charyl framed Claire.”Samantha said.
“Why would she do that?”
“Cause she’s jealous of Claire.”Xing er said walking into the room as she too fell on her knees.
“We all joked about Claire getting chosen by you as your bed chamber maid since she was beautiful. Charyl got angry and had earlier told me that she planned on sending Claire to the cold room. In my opinion she framed Claire because she’s obsessed with the master.”
“Why didn’t you say this earlier?”he yelled hitting his table hard.
“I was… scared of her. She almost broke out friendship too when she found out I was chosen instead of her.”
“Asher, Dala go get the girl from the cold room and bring her here, also get the medical team. Leave now.”they both squirreled out of the room.
“Bolin and Enzo bring Charyl to me. If she refuses to come drag her here. She must be punished. Now go.”
He looked really furious, if there is one thing the master hates the most, it’s lies. I can’t believe she would try to kill Claire just because she wants to be with the master.
“Get up all of you.”he ordered as we stood up. He sighed and tried to maintain his cool composure which he tends to loose when he’s angry.
Just then, Claire was carried into the room by assistant master and was laid on the master’s bed and the duvet was drawn to cover her.
She looked really pale and she was shivering slightly. The master sat beside her on the bed as he held her hands.
“Daddy please don’t do this.”she cried shivering and I felt like crying too. She must have really suffered in the hands of that evil man.
Master looked a bit confused as she grabbed unto his arms.
“Please stay. Don’t leave.”she whispered.
“I won’t leave you Claire.”he said softly stroking her hair. I smiled softly seeing the both of them. They look so good together.
Looks like she’s definitely gonna get favors from the master. Charyl wanted to kill Claire but she ended up making her gain the sympathy of the master.
“Where is the doctor?”
“Should be here in a few minutes…oh he’s here already.”
The doctor walked in with a nurse. He bowed to greet the master.
“Spare the formalities. Just treat her.”he nodded and began to check her heart beat and pulse.
“How long has she been exposed to cold air?”
“Approximately twenty five minutes.”
“Her hypothermia is a moderate one. All she needs is a warm beverage like tea to warm her system.”
“Samatha ask Bentley to prepare a warm tea for miss Claire.”
She ran out of the room and came back with a cup of tea. She was made to seat up and the master personally gave her the tea to drink little by little.
After finishing the tea, she was made to lie down again.
“She was exposed to cold for too long. Her body will need to rewarm itself and due to this change in temperature she will suffer from body chills for some days. When it starts to act up she will need body heat from someone.”
“I can give her my body heat.”I said.
“Never mind. I’ll do it.” Master spoke. I smiled inwardly, Claire is gonna freak out when she finds herself on the master’s bed.
Just then Charyl was brought in forcefully.
“Let me go.”she yelled as she was forced on her knees.
“What took you so long to find her.”
“She went into hiding and it wasn’t easy finding her.”
“Charyl how dare you lie against an innocent person? To the extent of wanting to kill her.”
“I couldn’t stand by and watch another woman try to take what I laboured for. For four years now, that I have been working for you. You were finally able to notice me and you made me the head maid. It was expected that I will be your next bed chamber maid but she came along with her beauty and ruined everything for me.”
“You know you can be killed for this?”Assistant master yelled at her.
“Strip her off her position as the bed chamber maid and also the head maid. The position of the bed chamber maid is vacant.”The beads on her head was removed by Dala.
“What? Master you can’t do this to me? You can’t demote me because of this girl.”
“Why not? Also punish her by caning twenty times. Lock her up and starve her of food and water for two days.”
“Master please please don’t do this to me. I love you.”
“You are lucky I didn’t have you sent into the cold room so you could have a taste of your own medicine. Take her out of my presence.”
“Master! Master.”she cried as she was dragged out.
“Xing er you will take her position as the head maid. Daniela you can assist her.”
“Thank you master.”
“You can all leave now. She’s is safe hands now.”
“Yes master.”we bowed before walking out of the room.