Second Chances

Sharing A Meal

I steeled my resolve not to accept failure as a result of these little setbacks and resolved to try again. I nodded but did not move from my seat.

He tilted his head at me, as if waiting for me to explain why I was still here. I could feel the eyes of everyone who was seated on me at the time.

"Shall I assist you in applying the lotion?" I asked, gulping the knot growing in my throat. I heard a lot of gasps there as well.

They were staring at me as if I were a person with horns on their heads. Or a reincarnated devil.

'Well, I was a devil who reincarnated,' I thought.

That thought made me chuckle, which I instantly regretted because it made them think I have gone insane.

Kendrick coughed to get my attention and spoke with the same calm and style as before "Touching the red patches and rashes would not be appropriate for your highness. There are several servants to look after me. How could I expect your highness to squander her valuable time on such trivial matters?"

His severe refusal was honey-coated, giving the impression that he was concerned about me.

But I knew he only wanted me to get lost from there so he could slumber peacefully.

But I had made the decision to be shameless until I gained success. So I nodded once more "That's all right, Lord Kendrick. Then I'll say my goodbyes."

He nodded, but I wasn't through yet.

"I'd be waiting for you in my dining room to share a meal, and as a mother, I'd be worried for you," I said when he least expected it, and his gaze traveled from the floor to my face, searching my eyes once again.

I was introducing myself as his mother for the first time. In the past, if somebody did that, I would have simply stared at them.

If the person was of lower position than mine, he or she could have been scolded or reprimanded.

As a twenty six year old woman, I never liked to refer to myself as the mother of a twelve year old boy. It made me feel a little old.

I peered into his eyes pleadingly as he searched for the truth in them, and when he closed his eyes, I could feel him sigh, though no noise came out, and then he finally nodded.

My delight was comparable to that of a tiny child who received her favorite sweets; my eyes were beaming, and I wanted to squeal, but I controlled myself and kept my face regular. Everyone would faint if they saw the constantly frowning duchess squealing and leaping like a child, I was certain.

I finally stood up and walked out, having no other reason to stay. All of the servants bowed to me, but I could see their gazes were fixed on me. Not that I care any longer, because the image you've worked your entire life to create would shatter with a single misstep.

I'd rather have a relationship this time, which would keep me from going through the most difficult period of my life.

I walked out of the wide corridors, which were adorned with magnificent statues and paintings, but the bitter taste in my mouth was so strong that everything became blurry to me.

I dragged my icy feet out of his chamber and into mine, walking straight and with my head held high.

I could feel my staff trembling, like they should. This time, they'd made mistakes that may have cost me my life.

I couldn't believe how long it had taken me to get to my chamber. Instead of sagging on the sofa while embracing a cushion, I dragged my body a little further and sat on it neatly.

"Speak," I told the nervous maids who were already on their knees.

My icy voice just made their tremors worse, and they flinched. But I didn't care any longer. I needed answers, and I needed them now.

"What had just happened there, I asked? Isn't it true that I said I wanted everything to be perfect? Would you describe those rashes as perfect? And what exactly did you give as a gift?" I spoke in a frigid, deep tone that was infused with an odd stillness.

"We apologies for your highness," they began to scream, sensing the peril they were in.

They apologised repeatedly, but that was not what I needed.

"Is it what I asked for?" I said again, my voice strange.

The monster in me was awakening from her slumber, draining my senses and rendering me numb. She was primed to savor her prey. She could sense their fear. And I could feel her energy.

I swallowed my rage, took a few long breaths, and then spoke again, my voice still calm but devoid of eeriness.