~Chapter 7 – The servants quarters~
(Adela's POV)
Sunlight streamed through the barred window, and Adela automatically covered her eyes with her arm, not wanting to open her eyes. She had been in a deep sleep, but she couldn't remember dreaming. And oh, how uncomfortable her bed was! She didn't remember it being so cold and hard. There was also a dull ache in the back of her head. Why?
"Woah!" She shot up, suddenly realizing where she was. It was dawn. She was in a dungeon. How wonderful, she thought. The floor was made up of large grey slabs of stone, which had little bumps in it that scratched her back. It all came back to her, the boys in the forest, reading that strange book…. Then suddenly she was being taken to the De Noir castle, and then she was running away… something hitting her head and it all going black. Stupid bird boy. Adela lay back down, she was still worn out. Oh what about Miss Heliotrope? She was probably going mad with worry. Would her Uncle look for her? Probably. He had after all told Miss Heliotrope that Adela would be fine. Ah, but he had said not to go into the forest. Why hadn't she listened to him? Adela scolded herself in her mind, how could have she been so stupid?
"Rise and shine, Princess!"
Bloody hell. Adela knew that arrogant voice. She looked up to see Robin standing by the barred door, that stupid smirk still on his face.
"We have a lot to do today, so come on." He was getting impatient now, and Adela chuckled to herself. She would have some fun and irritate Robin while she had to stay here.
"What… like suck up to your father?" Adela asked, and sat up against the wall. Robin frowned, not expecting cheek from her. His three friends who stood behind him sniggered, and he glared at them angrily.
"Oh, so you do want to play it that way, don't you?" Robin growled. He stormed into the cell and yanked her up by the arm roughly. "And don't even think about acting like an idiot in the dining hall." Adela rolled her eyes and struggled against him, but he was strong and easily moved her out of the cell and up the stairs.
"so, what's for breakfast? Crow meat? The head of your latest prisoner?" Adela grumbled, as Robin pushed her down the hallway towards the big doors that lead to the dining room. He didn't reply but shoved her slightly.
The dining hall was busy with people as it had been the night before. Servants bustled around, collecting plates and laying out new food. The De Noir clan all ate hungrily, chatting to each other loudly. When the door clicked shut they all went silent and looked up.
"Oh hello Princess. So good of you to join us!" That familiar voice boomed. Adela cringed, remembering her conversation with Coeur the night before. She would have to be careful what she said, she wasn't too keen on dying. They walked past the table until they reached the seats near the head of the table where Coeur sat, a goblet of wine in his large hands. Ugh. Who drinks wine at breakfast? She sat down on the hard seat and grimaced when Robin sat down next to her. "Now I hope you're grateful that we are kind enough to let you eat with us. I don't want any hassle from you." Coeur told her.
They weren't short of food, and that was for sure. The long table was laid with plate after plate of everything. There were golden croissants on a silver platter, porridge in a huge bowl, fresh sausages at one end of the table, eggs in little silver holders and another plate that had a gigantic omelet. Adela sat there, bewildered on what to choose. Back in Moonacre they never had so much food… mind you there were only a few people living there whilst there were about 20 odd in this very room!
Robin looked over at Adela, who was eyeing the food nervously. "It's not poisoned, you know." He said dryly, and she smirked at him before taking a croissant and finishing it quickly. "Princess, you're going to need more than that. We've got a lot to do today!" She growled at him when he said this and took a slice of omelet. It wasn't bad… she reckoned it would have been made better if the cook in Moonacre made it. It was filling though, at least.
"Excuse me, Miss." A young girl, no more than 8, was stood behind her. Adela turned around slightly in her seat to face the little girl. She was small, with blonde hair that was almost white. It reached her waist and was tied in two plaits, with red ribbons. She looked at Adela, with her big blue eyes. "Your plate, Miss." She squeaked. Adela turned to get her plate, and the little girl reached to get it too. She jumped backwards, a terrified look on her face. "I'm so sorry miss,"
"No no its ok, I wasn't going to hit you," Adela said softly, and the servant girl relaxed. She wore a brown dress that almost reached her ankles, with a white apron over the top. It didn't look very comfortable, but the girl seemed to be used to it. She gave a shy smile at Adela before hurrying off with the plate. Adela frowned. Why had the little girl been so jumpy? Coeur couldn't be so evil as to hit them could he?
Robin stood up, nudging Adela to get up as well.
"Robin, I expect you are going to take our princess here to the… place she shall work from now on?" Coeur asked. Robin nodded quickly, and left the room with his group of friends and Adela.
"Where are we going?" She asked him, slightly nervous. She had to work? Robin ignored her again, his grip tight on her arm. It was his friend who answered her question.
"To the servants' quarters." He said. Adela looked at him, she remembered him from the forest. His black, floppy hair and tanned skin… he was quite good looking, she had to admit. He smiled at her slightly, his blue eyes sparkling. That was something she had never seen before. A person with blue eyes and black hair. To be honest, it looked nice on him. "I'm Isaac by the way."
"Shut up and stop flirting, Isaac." Robin grumbled. Adela giggled quietly.
"He was just being friendly. Nothing wrong with that! It's much nicer for me than you lot being right idiots about everything." Adela stated, and Robin rolled his eyes and pushed her on. Isaac had been the only one other than Robin to speak to her. The others looked at her like dirt, just like Robin did. It was nice for a change, to find someone who wasn't an arrogant bastard.
As they carried on throughout the castle, Adela noticed how that even at dawn, when it was bright and the sun shone, it was still dark. How could anyone live like this? And how did Robin find his way through the castle anyway. It seemed like a maze to her, just like the forest. They passed people, all whom spat at her or yelled insults. Stupid De Noirs. Adela kept her head held high and yelled abuse back, but each time getting a pinch from Robin to shut her up.
"You'll get yourself killed, if you carry on like this!" He hissed at her.
Finally they arrived in a different part of the castle. It seemed even gloomier here. There were no paintings or decorations, just plain walls. There weren't any rugs or soft armchairs, as she had seen before in the castle. "Right. You'll be working here, 4 hours a day. When you aren't, you shall stay in your cell except for meal times." Robin informed her. Adela looked at him, horrified.
"I shall have you know, I am no servant!" Adela gasped. Robin ignored her again.
"Rose!" he called. A middle aged woman scurried out into the dim hallway. Her light brown hair was tied in a messy brown bun and she wore similar clothes to the little girl Adela had seen earlier.
"Everything alright, master Robin?" She asked. She seemed pretty confident, even thought she was speaking to the arrogant De Noir boy.
"Here is Adela for you. She will be working here, for hours a day. Get her some clothes and explain to her what she will be doing." He explained. Rose came forward and took Adela by the hand, smiling gently. Her hands were rough and worn, and Adela prayed the same thing wouldn't happen to her. She was proud of her flawless skin. They were lead into a little room, where Rose began to rummage through a wardrobe. She pulled out the same dress as her, but a few sizes smaller.
"Here me' darling. This should fit ya'." Rose handed her the dress. "Now, 'ow bout we get tew werk! Master Coeur won't be 'appy at all if we don't get on wivvit!" Adela narrowed her eyes, trying her best to understand the very unsophisticated accent that the cheerful woman had. But she noticed how a fearful look passed over her face as Rose mentioned Coeur.
"…What'll happen if we don't get enough work done?" Adela asked, her voice trembling slightly. She had to admit, even though she managed to seem confident when speaking to him, she was terrified of the man.
"He'll get out his whip." Isaac answered for Rose. "The old man is tough when it comes to punishments so work hard."
Rose nodded nervously; not wanting to speak of her master unless is was highly. Adela bit her lip worriedly. She had spotted the bruises that covered Rose's arm, before the woman moved away so she couldn't see.
"Come on then lil' un. We'll start with washin' the floors." Rose gently took Adela to another cupboard, and brought out a bucket and cloth. The boys left, sniggering to each other. "Oh don't mind them, me' love. Mister Robin seems like a nasty piece of werk but he's a real ole softeh deep down." Rose assured, noticing the self conscious look on Adela's face. But it wasn't how the boys made fun of her that worried Adela. It was the fact that they would be so harsh with the servants. She knew they were below her… well they were in London. Now she was basically one of them. But the mistresses and masters were never so cruel. Oh how she hated those De Noirs.
A/N: sorry about the terrible grammar when Rose is speaking! Any reviews appreciated!
