Our Little Secret (The Reborn)

He's leaving

He's leaving!

Xavier and Ruby were left alone in lord Jim's favourite garden. They walked around with five guards behind them.

Xavier turned to the guards.

  "Leave us!" 

They bowed and scurried away. They sat.

  "Tell me about your journey to Lesner, your eloquence is undescribable Xavier. You are incomparable..." She hailed him calmly placing her smooth hand on hers but he retracted gently. He interrupted instantly

  "...Well that's not why I've decided walk with you, Ruby. I simply want to say this to you here and now..." He halted

  "Is it going for hurt me, because if it would then I'd rather not hear it!" She pointed clearly. He was sure that it woukd hurt her feelings very so he tried to paint it nice instead.

  "Look here, Ruby! I want to be slow about things between us. I...I certainly do not think that i can push through with any wedding procedures for now. I need a lot of time to get ready because we all know that I've got a lot of tasks to carry out and you know that they are very important."

  "I would wait for you, Xavier!" She interrupted hastily. "Whether winter,  autumn, spring, fall, years...I'd always wait for you and that's a promise!" She assured. He only beamed forcefully then she kissed his cheek swiftly and smiled.  

  "I'd show you around the Arctic, do you mind?!" He asked knowing she agreed to his demands. He stretched out his right and she placed hers on it. They walked away.

When time flew to late at night, Nathan entered the kitchen to get some milk since he could not sight any servant around. Ursula was scrubbing the kitchen floor as directed by Mariah for splashing wine on her son, Xavier. He was not shocked at all because he knew that she'd be punished for her unintended clumsiness. She tried to scrub the floor effortlessly even if she was weary.

Nathan cleared his throat to draw her attention after staring at differently and lustfully. He knew that this maid was exceptional and pretty but admitting it was unbearable only because the Salvador's loved and lived by the Saxton's law, one of the laws was not treating the slave with high or slight favoritism so if you are caught acting against this law would be abominable which results nothing but an tragic death.

  "I want a cup of milk right away!" He instructed like he wasn't admiring her secretly in his mind.

 She was startled at first but seconds later she cleaned her hands on the towel beside. She poured some milk into a cup and handed it over to him. He accepted but when she made an attempt to leave he stopped her.

  "Stop!" He splashed the milk on her, her eyes were tightly closed. This is enough trauma only because of her savior, she thought inside of her. "Did i ask you to leave? Did you not know that you can not leave until you are told to do so?" He smirked. "Now i understand why mother asked you to scrub the floor, that's a perfect punishment for a girl like you. Get me another cup of milk after your hands are washed and wiped neatly!" He instructed after insulting her.

  "I'm sorry sir. It won't happen again, i promise!"  She apologized duly to avoid any more punishments. She listened to Tess's advice and that was the best thing to do in order to survive. She poured the milk after washing and wiping her hands then handed it over to him. He accepted but this time she waited until she was dismissed. She returned to the floor after he had left gulping down the glass of milk.

Ursula had seen hell only on her first day which gave her little or no hope of escaping the well guarded mansion. She tried as hard as possible to not cry but the tears would not wait for her permission. Everywhere was dark except for the kitchen that had a lighted lamp which she managed to do a good job. Someone was walking briskly to the kitchen with a lamp wrapped a light blanket, Ursula was frightened again by the image she did not recognize. As the person moved closer. Ursula would go steps backwards holding a lamp on the right and a wooden stick on the left.

  "Ursula!" Tess called out immediately. Ursula sighed in relief then she threw the stick to the ground. Tess beckoned her to remain quiet not to attract attention. "Careful not to make some noise! I'm here to give you a hand because its late and we have to wake up as early as 4am. Its about 12 o'clock midnight, you see?!" Tess coaxed

  "Thank you but no! If the madam or the lady sees you here then i would not sleep at all." Ursula pointed out correctly

  "...If you don't tell her then how would she know? Ok! See this as lending and you'd have to help me in the future. You never can tell when!" Tess coaxed rightly and this time she had to succumb to her terms. 

 After they were done scrubbing the floor, they headed to the slave quarters to finally rest. They stopped at the Ursula's door then Ursula opened the door 

  "Where would you pass the night?" Ursula asked innocently. Tess smiled at her question.

  "Every slave has a room so don't worry i have one. You should rest!" Tess said

  "Thank you so much for helping me out." Ursula said

  "You are my friend, are you not? We will help each other learn how to be strong, do not worry because we will be fine!" Tess added

They turned to leave but they heard someone approaching their direction. Tess entered the room hiding behind the door because she knew that Lena was on the hunt. 

  "Who's there?" Lena asked approaching hastily

  "Its me, Ursula. I have scrubbed the floor the lady instructed earlier!" Ursula explained as Lena stopped and shrugged.

  "Hmm! Are you sure you are not with someone? I heard whispers and my hearing sensitivity can not lie!" Lena said.

  "I promise. I'm alone!" Ursula said without hesitation.

  "Al-right!!!!" Lena headed nack to her room. 

The girls heaved a heavy sigh then Tess ran to room stealthily.

The next morning,

Being a bright and chilly day in Saxton province, all trades and businesses were running smoothly but Ursula had no chance of going out through the walls of Salvador, once locked always locked, she'd always say. Countlessly, Ursula had wanted to see Xavier since she overhead the discussion between the Salvador's that he'd be leaving for three days to Lesner province to finally acquire full ownership of its trade in crystals and gold, making it a hundred percent would do more favors than harm. She was scared that he might flare up or even kill her but since she felt that her intentions were pure and undeniably unharmful, she gathered courage. For some reasons, she looked into the mirror for a while after combing her hair to its finest nature, she made sure that her maiden uniform was neat enough for her to see the great man of valour. She was nervous but there was no harm in trying.

 She strode out of her room then headed to his chambers. His chamber was secluded on the family side of the hallway, he always preferred to be private. Ursula assumed that maybe he was always in the realm of deep thinking and concentration. A wise smart young man like him had already debated politial and business affairs with older men and yet he was always outstanding but she noticed one thing, his unhappiness.

She stood in front of the door, there were no guards that moment because of the lunch they were having. She knocked softly, she was thinking of possible ways not to annoy this man so her knock on the door was done with caution. He walked to the door and opened it. He was surprised to see this girl in particular. 

  "Are you not in your senses?" He asked but his face could tell that he was not in for a joke or play. She was shivering.

  "I'm really sorry but Sir, i have to talk to you about something important please! I could always return if this is disturbing..." She said almost in an unstable voice. Fear had gripped her heart already. 

He was bare from his waist line upwards yet his muscular physique was mesmerising her but she needed to stay focused or else it was trouble. They heard footsteps and chatters of Marie approaching. Ursula knew that this day would be a death sentence if Marie eventually sees her around her brother again. Ursula was confused, she was trembling then she blurted

  "Sir, please could you dismiss me? Please....Please....Please....i have to go..." Ursula was restless. The more she pleaded the more they heard Marie's footsteps coming closer. Her actions seemed really hilarious to me to the extent that he grinned, Xavier was not such kind of person. He would of sold no matter how funny everything seemed. He dragged her in then she hid behind his curtains in his shower room. She was panting heavily then she covered her mouth with her both hands to avoid the slightest noise. Marie's ears were like that of a dog, she listens from far and near. Marie entered her brother's room while he was sitting on his bed, forcefully 

studying at the small map.

  "Hail the great man of valour that happened to be my beloved brother!" She teased coming closer. He beamed in appreciation you her hails. He looked at the servants behind her and his facial expressions changed.

  "Leave us!" He ordered. They ran out without thinking twice. 

  "Oh brother! The lion amongst the moles!" She taunted as she sat beside him on the bed.

  "Why are you here, Marie?" He asked

  "Uhh! I bought these for you! Since you'd be leaving very soon so i was thinking that i find you a gift. I've got red and black, your favorite!" She said with a smile

  "That's thoug.  htful! Thank you, Marie!" He said.

  "Anything for my brother!" She stood up to keep the hoods in his cabinet but he stopped her and requested that she leaves them on the bed instead.

 "I may pick a choice out of your bounty!" He said with a faint smile.

  "Then I'd be delighted! I have got to leave for my sessions now! Safe return!" She kissed his cheek swiftly then he left.

Ursula came out of her hiding place hoping and wishing that he would not yell or kill her because what she's done was unimaginable. He gave her a daunting and questionable look

  "Why are you here?" He seemed very serious and forced

  "I...I wanted to thank you for helping me although and now...you saved me for the third time! Thank you, sir!" She stood still wishing he'd just snap his fingers for her to leave already.

  "I did not save you, i was only patriotic!" He blurted. He stood up then stood in front of her instead. He jerked her neck almost tightly, she was startled already. She was already prepared to die, no one dares to fall into the trap of this man and she did. "Do not cross my path again, is that clear?" He ordered

  "Very clear sir! I understand!" She said almost whispering because he was gently chocking her by the neck.

  "I don't care if you understand or not but next time will certainly not be a hey day." He released her from his grip. She almost fell to the ground rubbing her neck lightly.

  "Yes sir!" She said.

  "Good!" He said turning away. "Leave me, now!" He ordered

  "Yes sir!" She said with her face to the ground as she ran out without looking backwards but he was staring at her until she was out of his room. That's some guts, he thought.  

Ursula entered the kitchen where she knew she could possibly find Tess, her new friend. Tess was not in the kitchen so she proceeded to the premises, all in the process of exploring the mansion yet she could not find Tess. She was sad and lovely spirited suddenly. As soon as she was heading to the slave's quarters, Lena called her from a short distance while she was spreading the lady's clothes.

  "Ursula?!"

  "Yes ma'am!" Ursula stood waiting to be assigned.

  "Could you take these clothes to the lady's chamber, i hope you can find your way there!" Lena instructed

  "Of course!" Lena received the clothes in a basket then headed for the lady's chamber. Ursula met Tess at the hallway, she briefly told her about her whereabouts bht they planned to meet at backyard for a safe chat.