Second Chances

Preparations

"Kate, tell me what was in the gift.?"

She, too, sensed a shift in me as she bowed her head and wiped her tears.

"Your highness, I had packed a beautiful portrait of all three of you together, as it's a good sign of a new start," her voice was still unsteady but more clearer than before.

I nodded, understanding her generosity, but the issue was, they didn't know Kendrick, and one thing he detested was ridicule. He must have assumed we insulted him because of the dysfunctional family we shared.

"Lina, I presume you weren't aware of the berries, that causes the allergy to Kendrick.?" I inquired the trembling girl.

"Yes, your highness," she stammered.

I nodded again because the essence of the matter was that they didn't know anything about Kendrick.

"All right, I want all of you to go and learn everything there is to know about Lord Kendrick."

Normally, you'd learn about his study routine and what he does in his spare time.

Kate, you'd learn about his likes and dislikes, his friends, and other essential details.

Lina, you would learn about his food preferences, allergies, and other shortcomings and educate the royal chef of my room accordingly.

And for all of this, I'm giving you three days off from lady in waiting’s duty.

Do you have any questions?" I asked about everything that came to me at the time.

When I looked back to the females after accumulating all the crucial information, they were staring at me, as if I had two heads suddenly.

It was amusing at first to see their huge eyes, agape mouths, and foolish expressions. But I was growing tired of having the same reaction to every move and word I said.

"Did you forget what I told you?" I paused, gathering their attention; I could see curiosity in their eyes, so I said, "if you continue to make that look, it will be permanent." Then no one would marry you."

Their eyes enlarged for a fraction of a second before returning to normal.

"So, any questions?" I said again, nodding in satisfaction.

They looked at each other, then at me, and I could feel reluctance in their eyes, which increased my impatience.

But before I could snarl at them, they sensed the rising black cloud over my head and nudged Lina. I arched a brow at her to communicate that she had my complete attention.

"Your highness, we... we have been serving you since the day you arrived. Who will serve her highness if we all take vacation at the same time?" With her confused eyes, she inquired in hushed tones.

"I thought the duchess was allotted twenty maids," I said, recalling the account book I used to keep.

They all nodded, "your highness, they all worked under you, but they have never served you personally." They also stated that they are important.

'Fools, they didn't realise I had spent a long time in the gloomy dungeon without being served, I am no longer the arrogant duchess.'

"Then they would have an opportunity to study, select three best girls from the staff, and give over your duties to them after a proper explanation," I said to clarify my position.

They glanced at me with reluctance, but nodded when they saw my clear eyes. Finally, I took a significant step toward becoming a nice person. I grinned at the concept, finally feeling better.

"Are you going to stay on the floor all day, or are you going to work?" I told the girl who was still on her knees.

Sure, the floor was neatly carpeted, but it was still the floor.

"Thank you for your highness, you are a really kindhearted and warm person, your highness," they said repeatedly as they exited, bowing each time.

And it was now my time to be taken aback.

Everyone around me used to think of me as a cold and illogical person. In their perspective, I was a severe master to my workers, a coldhearted mother to Kendrick, and a stone for the one who cared for me.

But now they're saying I'm a kind person. I've never heard somebody refer to me as a warm person. It made me feel strange.

I lay down on my bed for a time, closing my eyes. I needed to regain all of my strength and willpower for tonight's dinner.

Once again, a flurry of footfall and murmurs disturbed my peace. I tried to ignore them, but the voice grew louder.

I sighed and sat on the bed. The room still has adequate brightness, but It was obvious that it was already dark outside. It appears like I slept for a long period.

I turned to face the direction where the whispers were coming from and discovered three fresh faces. They hadn't realised I was awake yet, so they were still pushing and prodding each other.

When the face I recognised finally entered, I furrowed my brows in perplexity. Kate and Norma entered, bowing their heads.

"Your highness," they said, keeping their head low, and I nodded.

"What is it?" I inquired, my gaze fixed on their hesitant expressions.

"Your highness, all preparations for your dinner with Lord Kendrick had been completed, and the maid from his chamber had notified that he would be arriving shortly."

'Did I sleep that much?' I nodded and then turned to face the newcomers.

"These are your new waiters, your highness, Penny and Daisy."

Both maids who were already bowing bowed even more before saying, "your highness."

I stood up, nodding to them. I walked out the door and into the dining room just as he did. I wanted to smile at him, but given his frigid reaction, it came out a little stiff.