Love Under the Hut

CHAPTER 10

***knocks***

“Have you eaten already, your grace?”

It was Matilda.

She approached softly to me once again.

I didn’t want to ruin her day.

I smiled and said I am getting ready for something else. I feel really bad for treating her so inappropriately before.

So I called her into my room and asked her to sit with me by the window to talk.

“I’m sorry. I was very mean to you all this while.”

“It’s okay, your grace. I know what you feel.”

I picked up a cup and poured a little hot tea and gave it to her.

She was happy and took it gladly.

“Why are you working, Matilda? Aren’t you supposed to be busy concentrating on your studies and taking care of mom and dad?”

There were tears in her eyes.

She knew I was telling the truth.

I don’t know what was in her mind.

What she actually been looking for in this house and what does she gets by helping me.

Despite all the things I did and said to her, she left it unbothered, she has been very patient and loyal to me.

This girl was soft-hearted.

“My parents died when I was six. Before my parents died, my dad gave the authority to my uncle to look after me, my house, and all of our belongings. But my uncle changed after they die. He became so cruel and selfish. He seized my house and my parent’s properties. He wanted all that for himself. He abandoned me and I was sent to an orphanage.”

“Oh, I’m sorry… That’s so cruel.”

Matilda wiped her tears.

I could tell she misses her parents.

“…but the rumors went around and Count Latham came to know about it. He came to visit me and offered help. He found my uncle and forced him to return back my parents' property to me. Everything my cruel uncle owes my father, he could not give back. Count Latham returned all that to me three times more. Count Latham always has his ways of getting things. He is powerful. He has many friends and big-shots to help him. After all, he is a billionaire. Nothing stops him.”

I was surprised by Matilda’s story.

I remembered when the first time Mr. Patrick came to ask for papa’s permission to allow me to be married to the count.

When he needs something, he gives something to compensate or he would definitely return something good.

He gave papa money and helped him with his bakery.

Papa is indeed rich and he is doing great now.

But that does not change anything the way I feel about him.

He forced me to marry him and ruin my life.

I would never forget that.

“But he does not know you. Why would he help you?”

“Because he hates people mistreats children. He hates liars and betrayals. It’s either he would help the victim or kill the abuser.”

“He would kill?”

“Yes, he did. A couple of times. But, they deserve it.”

“No one deserves to be punished, Matilda. Count Latham has no right to take away anyone’s life!”

I yelled.

But there must be something really wrong happened and a strong reason to do so.

“Yes, no one does, your grace. But Count Latham, he doesn’t just kill anyone heartlessly, but…he kills the pedophiles, the cheaters, betrayers, and those who are involved with drugs and human trafficking. He kills all of them!”

Shouted Matilda with anger.

After a few seconds of heartbreak, she lowered her body and looked at me.

Softly she put her cup down.

“I owe him, your grace. When I know he has fallen in love with a young girl and wants to marry her, I was very happy. But… I was told by Mrs. Beth that you are really hard to deal with.”

We both laughed. Yes, she’s right, for now.

“So, I approached him and volunteered myself to help him. I told him maybe I could accompany you for some time until you are used to the people and the places here. Perhaps helping you with choosing your clothe and preparing your meal. Only a girl knows another girl…” She added.

I gave her a sweet smile. She was grateful to my husband. She wasn’t loyal to me but to Latham.

Wow… the count is a good man after all.

He does work with justice.

Indeed he has his own ways and reasons to help and being cruel at the same time.

“So, the count hates betrayals…”

“Yes, your grace.” Nodded Matilda.

I already betrayed him. Would he kill me too?

I am scared and a feeling of uneasiness growling in me now.

I treated her really badly and even blamed my husband to put her to work.

I was carried away with her stories.

It was interesting.

Suddenly, I want to know more about the count but I am not to the extent of wanting to see him yet. 

No. I am not ready for that. I am afraid because I was thinking that he is old and because of his old looks I would possibly push myself away and never want to see him again.

I was afraid, honestly.

You see… the worst is that I never even have the nerve to ask Matilda of how he looks like.

She didn’t know. Shall I tell Matilda about my secret? Maybe I should ask her what to do. She could help me…

I finally had the courage to speak up.

“Matilda, I have something to confess… but I don’t know what you are going to do after that. Will you promise me to keep it secret until the day I open up myself?”

“Yes, of course, your grace. Until my last breath. I would never reveal anything.”

She smiled. I know I can trust her.

So I started.

“I met this young handsome man… last night. I think I am in love with him…”

“That’s wonderful, your grace. I am happy for you. But…” her voice shattered and she was feeling broken knowing that I am going to betray Latham. I know she will never stand if anything hurts him. They are like siblings. Like Norche’s little sister… Almost…

“Yes, I know, Matilda. It’s wrong but I am afraid that I have fallen in love with him. What if I can’t stop this feeling?”

“Your Grace, I know that I am no in-charge of asking this to you but may I know who is he?”

I gazed at her a while. She nodded, curiously.

“He said his name was Norche… Do you know him?”

Matilda was surprised when I said that name to her. She gave an uncomfortable smile at me and said no. She works in the house with the people here. She barely goes out.

Maybe she knew but she would rather keep it to herself or probably she would not know anyone named like that.

“Your grace, maybe you can come to the party tonight. Maybe Norche will be there.”

Matilda seems like she already knew who is he but she seems to be hiding a lot from me.

She was acting suspiciously.

There is something this whole family is hiding from me!

Maybe she’s right. He might be there.

“I am not sure about that, Matilda.”

I gasped at her.

I was more concerned about the night that I am going to spend with Norche.

But, maybe she is right.

“Ummm… maybe for a while, Matilda.”

“Great!” She cried.

“I know some great gowns and shoes for you, your grace. Follow me!”

Matilda took me to the nearest closest.

She picked a red one, a halter-neck blouse.

More like a bra-type blouse, you know like ancient Egyptian style with a long ball gown-type of the skirt, almost dragging on the ground I walk.

The blouse was very very short that it only covers my boobs. The back of the blouse only consists of a pair of thin ropes to hold the blouse together.

Like a sexy saree blouse.

If someone unties my strips, it would expose my boobs right away. Sexy…

Since I have a good body figure, the gown made me look really beautiful and tempting.

It was really sexy. I wear a beautiful outfit.

It was shiny and glittery.

“You look sexy and gorgeous, your grace.”

It was indeed like an Indian Saree without the scarf on it to cover my stomach. Would they be mad at me for being very sexy? But I was thinking about the family and Latham. Is he okay with my outfit?

“Here, your grace. Take this…”

She hands over a masquerade mask. A black one.

“It’s a prom night, your grace. You are going to be the center of attention!”

I laughed with her. It was nice and I can be really proud to be the highlight of the party.

“…but Matilda, what if I met Norche and Latham at the same time?” I grilled.

“Trust me, you won’t…your grace” she added.