Shining Through Shadows

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Lydia

“Miss Lydia?” An older voice called after me. I flinched instantly, praying that I hadn’t been lacking in my duties to make head-maid Louisa call for me mid-cleaning.

I turned around swiftly and wiped my palms on the white apron secured around my waist. Holding my head down in respect, I waited for her to say something.

“Raise your head, miss.” She offered, her voice both stern and kind at the same time. Without hesitating, I held my head high, meeting her gaze.

“What can I do for you, head-maid?” I asked her respectfully, praying it would be enough for me to get out of trouble, if I was in any…

“Your service is needed elsewhere. Please, follow me.” I gulped at her words. Elsewhere? They wanted to get rid of me? Had I offended the Alpha when we met in the pantry?

As I watched Louisa turn around to leave the dining room, I hesitantly met the eyes of Reyna, who was watching us with worry plastered on her usually beautiful face.

“Quickly now!” Louisa called as she went through the door opening. I almost fell over my own feet to hurry after her, but I just couldn’t shake the feeling settling deep in the pit of my stomach. Elsewhere. As in not here.

Louisa didn’t speak as I followed her up to the next floor. She stopped, gazing down the empty corridor leading to the servants’ quarters.

“Come on now.” She said quietly before leading me towards the grand staircase. The one leading to the forbidden floor.

“I cannot possibly go up there. It’s against the rules.” I said timidly as my heart pounded inside my chest. Was this some kind of test?

“Nonsense. I told you to follow me, didn’t I?” She glanced at me over her shoulder, her face questioning as she waited for me to reply.

Even though she was probably in her sixties, she was still beautiful. Her shoulders were pulled back, and she held her chin up, telling me that nothing I could say would make her change her mind, even if I was adamant about it.

“I don’t want to get into any trouble,” I added, as I lowered my head. Maybe she would see it as a sign of respect, but in reality, I wanted to hide the unsettling feeling rushing through me.

“And you won’t be in any. Now, follow me.” Her reassurance did little to calm my nerves, but I chose to follow her, although hesitantly, after releasing a deep breath.

The grand staircase was covered in a maroon carpet. I stared at the polished banister where he had broken it, but it was completely fine, as if nothing had ever happened.

My heart rate quickened as we neared the upper floor, forbidden to all servants but Louisa. Why would she bring me here?

“In here, Miss Lydia.” She held the door open for me and our eyes locked before she nodded with her head to urge me inside.

It was a small office, warm and cozy with a dark wooden interior. But when I gazed around long enough, it was easy to tell that it was the office of a woman.

In the corner, a table stood elegantly with a large flowerpot on it. Small figurines, some wood, others of porcelain, were displayed throughout the office and several personal pictures were decorating the walls and on the shelves behind a small desk.

“Take a seat.” She offered as she elegantly pulled out her own seat. Once we were both sitting down, she cleared her throat.

“Miss Lydia,” she began, her eyes flickering from her folded hands on the desk to my face. “With age comes natural discomforts and, sadly, I’m plagued with arthritis.” She sighed as she stared down at her hands.

“I’m sorry. My mother is suffering from arthritis as well.” Louisa’s head snapped up to meet my eyes.

“Then you must know about the pain it can cause.” I nodded my head several times, thinking of how my mother had cried when her hands began to fail her, and she couldn’t hold a needle properly anymore. Both the defeat and the pain had tortured her.

“I do.” I replied curtly and waited for her to explain why we were talking about arthritis.

“That is why I have come to the conclusion that I need help with my duties on the Alpha’s floor.” Her brown eyes met mine, and they looked at me with nothing but sincerity. “I’ve chosen you to carry on the responsibilities of our Alpha’s meals.”

What? Was I supposed to feed him?

“I don’t think I understand…” I began, but mentally shook my head. “What about Jena, or one of the others? I’m rather new here.” God, I sounded pathetic saying it like that, as if I was completely incompetent.

“Nonsense.” She waved her hand dismissively in the air. “You begin your new duties today, now actually. It’s time for lunch.”

I felt the blood draining from my face as she urged me out of the office…