I like Thanksgiving break. It's calm.
Anyway, hello agaiin! How are y'all? Good? Good.
Thanks for the reviews on the last chapter, I hope you all like this one c:
-Also just a side note, I've realized that I seem to- make a lot of spelling errors. I try to correct them, but I hope you guys can follow the story line even if there are a few.
For a while I hung out with Francis by the cliff until I mentioned that I was getting hungry, and he mentioned that he forgot about a ball that night, celebrating a marriage of some two people, whose names I can't pronounce. Apparently it was a big deal and I should've known about it, but I know about almost nothing in the court except about Sebastian, who I refuse to think of as Bash, and Francis, who I've now distinguished as my friend.
And that brings me to now, sitting in my room with Levina while Daniela and Jacqueline fix their hair in the maids' bathrooms.
"How was your time with Francis?" Levina asks, beaming.
"It was great," I say quietly, my mind distracted by Sebastian.
"Okay, what is wrong?" she asks, walking to my bunk and sitting down next to me.
"Nothing," I mumble.
"Something is wrong."
"Well he told me that Sebastian has been courting a girl," I say slowly.
"Francis did?" Levina asks.
"No, the potato in the kitchen did! Yes, Francis!" I say sarcastically, causing Levina to sort of recoil and scoot a bit away from me. "Sorry," I instantly apologize. "I'm just in a bad mood."
"Well, I believe that Bash has a courting partner, but you have Francis. It is rare that someone gets to spend time with him, especially a maid," Levina says.
I'm about to ask why Francis seems so important, but Daniela bursts through the door, looking like a true princess and next to Jacqueline, they look like twins. Their brown hair is combed and perfectly fit for their frames, as well as their dress. Daniela wears a bright pink summer dress with a dark purple wrap, while Jacqueline wears a dark blue gown going just past her knees with a flower crown in her hair.
I look down at my clothes, the brown maid outfit with a white apron.
"Come on, Ginnifer!" Daniela yells, rushing to my side and grabbing my wrist. "You got to get out of that ugly outfit!"
I sigh, realizing that I don't have a dress and nothing would fit me, as well as the fact that going to the ball meant seeing Sebastian, and it also meant that I might have to talk to him.
"I might not go," I say, bringing my hand back from Daniela's grip. She looks at Levina.
"King's Bastard, blame him," Levina mumbles. Daniela's expression lowers, her smile turning into a tight line.
"Do not let him get to you, Ginnifer. You can't pay attention to your feelings at the court, they get in the way, okay? So let us go to the ball!" Daniela grabs my wrist again, and for some reason I let her. She pulls me out of the room, and looks down the hall at the other maids' rooms. "Jacqueline, who do you reckon wears Ginnifer's size?" she asks.
Jacqueline shrugs and I roll my eyes. Great.
Just- great.
"Am I overreacting?" I suddenly ask, while we're walking to different maids' rooms.
"About what?" Daniela asks.
"Sebastian. I mean, it's not like he pronounced his love to me or actually kissed me or anything, I don't really have a right to be mad at him." I twirl a lock of my hair.
"Ginnifer, if you keep forgiving him, sooner or later he is going to kiss you and he will break your heart. Let him go," she says quietly. I realize that she's probably thinking about Sebastian and their relationship. If I were with Sebastian, it would be to her demise. I shouldn't think of him any longer. Daniela knocks upon another door. It opens slowly and out peaks a small head.
"Yes?" asks a raspy voice. Daniela nudges the door farther open with the tip of her toe and it opens to reveal a maid with two kids in rags with dirty faces. Daniela walks in and looks at the children. I stand awkwardly at the door frame, staring at the maid who has her lips in a tight line.
"Are you okay?" I ask her. There are cuts on her face; it looks like she hasn't showered in a few months.
"My children- please don't tell 'nyone!" the woman whispers. One of the children coughs lightly. I glance over and see a boy with hair matted with dirt and grease. Daniela is crouching in front of a little girl with a doll in her hand that sits on a bunk near a window. My heart shatters for them. I walk over to the boy. His eyes widen.
"Hallo, miss," he says with a German accent. I cup his face in my hands and move his head from side to side, looking at the bruises and dirt. He looks about twelve. He crookedly smiles at me.
"What is your name?" I ask him.
"Jefferson, miss," he replies quietly.
I hear the lock of a door as the mother of the children closes the door so no one can see her secret.
"Jefferson, how long has it been since you've taken a shower?" I inquire.
Jefferson is quiet for a second, I assume he doesn't want to say anything out of embarrassment, but he finally speaks in a soft voice. "Three months."
"Three months, oh dear Jefferson," I whisper, glancing behind at Daniela. I can see the sadness in her eyes too, but she's obviously been here before and she knew of these children here. I see how much she longs to help these poor children and their mother. I stand up, and take Jefferson's hand in my own, and help him stand up. His thin fingers carefully curl around mine. I ask him to turn around and try to figure out if there's anything that needs to be taken care of right away, but he seems to have no open wounds. Maybe I can ask Francis if I can spare them some food. Francis would understand.
"I will be back," I tell him quietly, and glance at Daniela. She says goodbye to the little girl and exits the room with me. I glance back at the young children, promising myself that I will help them to the best of my ability, even if I get kicked out of court for doing so.
"Still no dress," Daniela mumbles angrily. "It is terrible that the maids can't even find a job in the village so they are forced to bring their children here after their husbands leave them for a prostitute or another girl. It sickens me."
"The village?" I ask.
"Yes, very poor. Down the road from the court, through the hills. It is rather easy to find." She takes a deep breath in and continues striding down the long hall. I follow suit. "I was born there. My father left when I was born, my mother died of consumption, so I grew up living in the village alone till I was sixteen or so, then I came here."
"How old are you, Daniela?"
"Twenty-five."
My eyes widen. Wow- she has been here for almost ten years, and she is still going. I smile at that, if she is that strong, then I shall be that strong as well. I will not let some man get in my way of life. Caught in my rant inside my head, I don't see the wall ahead of me and I run into it. The wall moves. I hit the ground in a terrifying clunk, but look up and see Francis. Daniela instantly curtseys. Are maids supposed to curtsey to anyone that may be higher than them? Daniela looks at me, but all I see is a welcoming hand reaching towards me. I grab it and Francis helps me up.
"Hello Francis," I say, smiling. I notice one hand behind his back. When he sees me looking, he brings his hand out from behind his back and shows me a ravishing dress that is midnight blue with black trace and ruffles. I look into his blue eyes and smile, and jump in glee. "Thank you, sooo much!" I yell and throw my arms around him. It takes him by surprise. I feel Daniela take the dress from between Francis and I, so I don't crush it the first second I get it. "Thanks," I say, still grinning with a bright face at Francis. This is the man I want, not Sebastian.
"It is my honor, Ginnifer. Now go get dressed, the ball is starting shortly," Francis replies, bowing and walking away. I glance at Daniela.
She squeals.
"This is so amazing that Francis would pick you," she says.
"Pick me?" I ask.
"Never mind, we shall discuss it after the ball."
Feeling a bit confused, but more happy, I drag Daniela down the corridor to our chambers. I swoosh open the door and see my roommates in stunning dresses with their charcoal already applied their eyes. I do the same. They all gasp when I put my dress on, their eyes getting wider as I spin.
"Do you like it?" I say, still spinning in circles.
"It is magnificent, where did you get it?" Levina questions.
"Francis!" Daniela shouts. "Can you believe it!"
"Francis?" Levina yells. "OH happy days! This is great!"
"Why is it so great?" I wonder aloud.
"It's time to go!" Jacqueline yells, pulling my wrist as well as Daniela's, who grabs Levina's, and together we all run out of the room and skip down the hall to the ballroom. I laugh as we push open the big golden traced doors to the ballroom and instantly my ears a filled with the sound of music.
Daniela splits from the group, as well as Levina and Jacqueline. Soon I'm left standing in the middle of a bunch of people, confused of where to go. I find a butler walking around with drinks on a tray. I take one and drink it slightly, feeling the wine swish around in my mouth before I swallow it. It tastes bitter, so I down it quickly and place it on a table before noticing a tap on my shoulder.
I quickly turn around and come face to face with Sebastian.
"Sebastian, hello," I say.
"You can call me Bash, Lady Ginnifer," Sebastian smiles widely and takes my hand to kiss it. I feel his lips brush against my hand and I pull it back instinctively. He raises an eyebrow. I stare at his beautiful body as he towers above me.
"I like Sebastian more," I reply softly, looking around at the people to try to escape this. Where is Francis?
"Yes, I suppose that is okay, then. Where were you a few nights ago, you never showed at the lake." He ignores my question.
I sigh, "I was caught by a guard."
"Oh. Well, it is good that you are still here. Some other time we shall, then?" he inquires.
I sigh evenly and try to avert his eyes by looking at the dresses and suits of the people surrounding me. I see the King standing next to his mistress and the Queen looking around questionably. They look very royal. I try to find Francis, but I cannot find him in the crowd of people.
"Ginnifer?" I look at Sebastian, who looks at me with concern. His eyes search mine and for a second I'm caught in his trance. I shake my head quickly.
"Sorry, I am a bit discombobulated," I mumble.
"That is a funny word," Sebastian says, pondering the word, but then returns to normal. "Do you need to sit down?"
I don't feel dizzy, but I do feel the need to sit down. But there are not many chairs surrounding us. "Sebastian, where is Francis?" I ignore his question, as he did with mine earlier.
"Why?"
"I want to dance with him."
Sebastian's eyes widen for a second, probably wondering why I'm wishing to dance with Francis. He furrows his brow and narrows his eyes. "Are you friends with him now?"
"Yes, he bought me this dress," I say, smiling as I look at the dress I'm wearing. Sebastian's eyes travel down my body and I fold my arms across my chest.
"Yes, I see," Sebastian swallows loudly and clears his throat. "Francis is probably talking with his father."
I glance around, looking for anyone that looks like an older version of Francis, but I don't see anyone. "Oh?"
"I can dance, if you would like," Sebastian offers. I stare at an extended hand. I don't know why, but I take it in my own. Sebastian's hand curls around mine and he grasps it lightly. He grins and leads me to where people are dancing to a medium paced song. He lets go of my hand, and places his on my hips. Not really remembering how to dance, I awkwardly wrap my arms around his neck and just follow his steps. Although they aren't in tune with the song, and aside from the fact that no one else is dancing like us, I feel a sudden burst of happiness. After a second, Sebastian leans down and kisses my forehead like he did when I was sick.
That happiness isn't lived long. I finally see Francis, talking to the King.
"Why is Francis talking to the King?" I ask Sebastian, feeling a bit baffled.
"Like I said," Sebastian whispers in my ear, "He's talking to his father."
Something catches in my throat. I thought Francis was just a normal guy that I could have normal relations with-
Someone nudges Sebastian. His hands leave my hips and turn around. A girl about my height, maybe a bit taller, slaps Sebastian in the face.
"I thought we were meant to be," she says, a tear streaming down her cheek as she runs away quickly. I look at Sebastian with a hurt expression.
He tries to say something, but it doesn't make it past his throat as I turn and run away from him.
Tadaaaaaaa.
Does that chapter deserve a tada?
I think it does.
I tried my best with a cliffhanger, I guess.
Review if you liked it, please. Lemme know if there's anything you don't like. Am I writing too modern? Are there any historical errors, I don't really research this stuff, I just wing it cause I feel like writing freely.
Stay tuned for the next chapter~