The Illegitimate
1316 Words
Illegitimate! Have you ever wondered what that word could mean? I did. It means, a curse. A curse that caused due to someone's undying love for someone else, when that was illegal to happen.
But have you ever thought of the outcome of this curse? Have you ever thought of the little being which called as a mistake? No. Nobody did.
Because nobody really cares about others. They do not have time for curses but for their own little ones. That does not give anyone a right to hurt others, right? Or, have they?
I doubt it!
"What is wrong, Aveline?" Emma questioned, while slicing the apples in the basket, kept aside. "Oh nothing! Nothing to worry about." I smiled at her, before stirring the soup, on the flame.
"I was wondering that you must have fallen asleep in thoughts. That deep, it was." she pointed at my face, meaning my comatose state that she had witnessed a few seconds ago. "I am sorry. I was just...lost." I admitted, while continuing with my work.
"You know, you don't need to apologize every often. At least not to me." I heard Emma, and I stared at her. "Sometimes, people tend to stick with their habits." I smiled at her, before serving the soup in little bowls. "And I guess, I have a very good habit of apologizing. That's just there in my...genes." I pointed out, while wondering why didn't my mother ever apologize to that woman.
The rightful woman of my Father's life!
"That happens, when you keep a lot inside, Aveline. You have forgotten to live, and that makes you think whatever you do, is wrong." Emma muttered, while helping me with the bowls. "Oh!" I sighed, before pulling out the spoons from the Kitchen counter cabinet.
"So why is it that people over here always point out my mistakes?" I asked while keeping the bowls of soup, in a trolley of food, which would be taken to the Royal Dining Area. "Why is it that people do not like to see my face, when I haven't done anything wrong to them?" I asked out, and Emma stared at me in sadness.
"You do not know. Do you?" I gave her a faint smile, before looking outside, in the night sky. "But I do." I whispered, before walking towards the only window in the kitchen, through which we would get some moonlight.
"Because I am Illegitimate." I completed, and turned to look at Emma, who looked away in despair. "Sometimes I think you are unable to accept the reality, when I can do it effortlessly." I chuckled bitterly, and she gave a look to me.
"Sometimes...you make me wonder a lot, Aveline. A lot." She whispered, before leaving the kitchen and I stared back at the moon in sorrow.
"Sometimes...I just wish to let out. To let everything out. Can I?" I whispered to myself, before looking down in agony. "Maybe, I don't deserve that too." I leaned to the wall beside, before closing my eyes, letting myself believe that I really do not have a chance at life.
***
"What's going on?" I muttered to myself while staring at the commotion happening, in front of my eyes. Each and every girls, who are maids of course, were running around. They were neatly dressed, for a change, and a constant blush was present on their cheeks. Was it natural or not, I do not know.
"What's happening with these girls?" I asked Emma, when I saw her staring at the girls like me. "Well!" She sighed out loud. "Its Selection Day." Emma shrugged, and I stared at her. "Really, now? And I though something big was going to happen." I pointed out, while sighing. The girls are getting hyped up, for no reason.
"Well, it is not a casual stuff, you know. It would be a dream come true for every servant girl, to go to a Royal Ball." Emma shrugged again. "Why would they be interested in it? I would like to know that. I mean, what's fun in there?" I asked out loud.
"Getting to share a dance with one man!" Emma replied, cheekily and I started to think about her point. "You get to dance with a stranger man. And that's the fun in it?" I asked, and she nodded at me. "Oh!" I deadpanned. What's so good at dancing with someone you do not know?
Its Ball Dance, we are talking about. Although, I have no idea how to dance, I had seen it happening. Its one intimate stuff for the people in here, more than an art like dance. So, how is it that you get to be excited to dance with a man whom you do not know anything about?
"To be clear, you are not finding it good. Aren't you?" Emma asked, and I let out a sigh. "To be honest, I do not. I mean, I would not think about being that close to a stranger, let alone be a man I do not know of." I replied, honestly.
"Not even if that guy is handsome?" she asked, and I crooked my eyebrows. "What difference would it make to a man, if he's handsome or not? He is still a stranger." I pointed out, and Emma cupped my cheeks, taking me by surprise.
"Oh Aveline! You are precious, for the man who will deserve that heart of yours." Emma gushed, and I ignored her. She can't be serious, when she talks about romance. Romance or love, is just a fantasy.
At least, for illegitimate like me!
"Miss Aveline Fleur." I gasped, on hearing my name. Startled, I looked at the man who was standing at the entrance of the Kitchen. He was on official. I, along with other ladies, bowed to him.
"Who is Aveline Fleur?" he repeated, and I looked at Emma in fear, who blinked in assurance. I do not remember doing anything wrong. Well, its not like you were always punished for doing something wrong!
"I-I am Aveline." I stuttered, while stepping ahead, and the man just grunted. "You could have saved me the time, by stepping out the moment you heard me calling out. Anyways, come with me." he said, and walked out of the kitchen, while I stared at his retreating figure, in fear.
To go with him? Where? Is he going to punish me? But-but what wrong did they find in me now?
"Aveline. Just go, I will be keeping an eye on you. Don't let him be mad at you. Go." Emma encouraged, and I nodded at her, before running behind the man. Thankfully, he was waiting for me, but with a scowl on his face.
"What took you so long? I do not have all day for you." he said, and started to walk, while I followed him, almost trying not to faint. "W-What wrong d-did I do, Sir?" I managed to ask, while he threw me a glance.
"I do not think getting selected for a Royal Ball is a sin, girl." he said, and I choked on the air. "P-Pardon?" I asked, and he seems to be annoyed with my response.
"You dumb, girl? Its crystal clear. You are the one who is going for the Royal Ball this year." He said, and I widened my eyes. I heard a gasp coming from behind me, and I turned to find Emma walking behind me with her eyes twinkling in...joy?
Literally?
"And I am taking you to the King, to let you know about the rules." he added, and I gasped this time. Did I ever fascinate about dancing with a stranger? Of course, not. Then why am I selected? It seems that people who do not wish for something, get to have it!
Oh! Suddenly, I wish I was fascinated with the idea of dancing with a stranger!
- Writer
