Chapter 4: Evening

Tutoring was quite enjoyable today. Amelia and I seemed to enjoy ourselves as we played side by side. Veronica doesn't normally let us practice music because we need improvement in other areas. For example, she says that we need to work on party etiquette.

It's all ok now, though. I'm just glad that today went so smoothly.

I mean, usually Veronica is a harsh tutor, but today she kept encouraging us and smiling at our performances. It actually made me laugh about how much fun we were having. All three of us.

It seems that we haven't had fun together in so long. Our three-way friendship started to crumble over time after my parents' and Aunt's deaths. I haven't exactly been trying to repair it, so I shouldn't be complaining about anyone else's lack of effort.

My feet dragged on the floor as I approached my bed. Such a long day. Every day seems to drag by, so boring and plain.

I was still wearing my dress from today, but that didn't matter to me. I was so tired, that nothing mattered at all. Inhaling deeply, I threw myself on my bed. I lay across my bed with my limbs fully spread apart, and my face buried in my sheets.

Eventually, I crawled up to my pillow and settled my head into it. Not caring that I was still wearing my dress, I began to close my eyes.

I thought of today as I began to drift into sleep.

I want every day to be like this. I don't want the usual drama and separation that we all have. I want all of us to be able to look at each other and smile, knowing that we always have each other. Knowing that we are different but not separate. That we can always find each other through the sadness and pain.

To be like the family I don't have anymore.

After I had cleaned up the dishes from the girls' dinner, I had to make sure that the manor was in check for the night. Every light turned off, not a sound from the other servants, and the Ladies in bed. Everything seemed to be in order.

I had to check and make sure that everything was all right in each of the Mistress's rooms. After all, who knows what they could each be doing? I lost trust in Lady Amelia when she attempted to sneak out of her bedroom window…twice. And Lady Sarah tends to practice her embroidery sometimes and usually ends up poking her finger with the needle.

I started to approach Lady Sarah's room. I walked down the dark hallways, having only a single candle to illuminate the way. I could only see a few feet in front of me, and the rest of my surroundings were blocked by the darkness. The hall seemed to go on forever. The light of the flame dimly lit up the elegant navy blue wallpaper and the golden rugs placed upon the floor. Eventually, I reached Lady Sarah's bedroom door.

The grand wooden door creaked as I slowly pushed it open, trying not to wake the lady. I entered the room and walked quietly toward her bed. Unable to see her face clearly in the darkness, I lifted the candle near her face.

Her peaceful, sleeping face looked so comfortable in her soft pillow. When I looked at her face, I felt myself calming down into my own peace. The warmth and comfort that she was feeling overtook me, and I sighed blissfully.

Then something caught my eye. I moved the candle away from her face and directed it toward her body. The orange flame illuminated the Lady's dress. She must have forgotten to take it off and change into her nightgown.

Naturally I should be the one to change her, but tonight she insisted on doing that chore herself. Being a dedicated maid, I agreed to my mistress's wish without any questions asked.

But now, I see that my Lady has forgotten to change herself, or she was too weary to do that. I understand the situation either way. Next time, I should respectfully decline her command, and remind her about this very night. That way, she might see my reasoning.

With an exhausted sigh, lifted the lady out of bed and began to change her. This was no simple task. Lady Sarah was fast asleep and wouldn't budge, so her slumping around from side to side made this task all the more difficult.

Eventually, after much effort, I got the lady in her nightgown and gently settled her back into her bed. I lifted the blanket over her body and looked at her face.

She was still so peaceful. Throughout that whole experience, her expression never changed. She wasn't rattled by the constant movement in the slightest.

I began to stroke her cheek gently.

"Goodnight, My Lady." I whispered to her under my breath.

With that, I left her room quietly.

I leaned against the wall directly outside of her bedroom. I was tired too, sometimes. All I need to do now is make sure that Lady Amelia is in bed. Lady Amelia…

My head jerked up from its lazy position. My eyes widened quickly. Without another thought, I sprinted down the hall.

No, no, no, no, no! I thought as I ran through the halls. Lady Amelia...I know that she isn't in bed! I can feel it. What could she be doing?

I abandoned my single candle outside of Lady Sarah's bedroom, so I couldn't see a thing. I used my sense of direction and conscience to guide me to Lady Amelia's bedroom.

Why do their rooms have to be so far apart? I screamed in my mind, picking up speed.

At last, I reached the Lady's door. Without knocking and without a thought, I swung it open.

A few candles hanging on the walls lit the room up with an orange glow. Lady Amelia wasn't in her bed.

My heart stopped for a moment, but then I noticed a crouched figure in the corner of the room. It was a dark shadow of a person, and they just sat in the corner, with their back facing me and their face towards the wall.

"Lady Amelia?" I asked gently. The figure's head slowly rose up. "Lady Amelia, is that you?"

"What do you want Veronica?" the figure weakly spat. It was her.

"Come out from over there, my Lady. Come get into bed before you get cold." I said very gently to sooth the Lady.

"No." she replied plainly.

I could almost see her holding something. It was thin and rectangular, and she held it to her heart. Almost like a…

Picture.

I was waiting for Veronica to turn out every light in the manor. I was waiting for every sound to quiet down.

Once every light was off, I knew that I was in the clear. I was able to do something that I never wanted anyone to see me do. I lit a few candles on the walls to be able to see where I was going.

Sneaking quietly around my room, I tiptoed to the corner. I made sure that no one would be able to hear me.

I longed for some peace and quiet around here. I want to be able to have this moment with her and know that I'm alone.

In the corner, I pointed out the loose floorboard and lifted it gently. I held my breath as the wooden board creaked softly. I lifted it with ease, trying not to wake anyone up.

Eventually, the floorboard was lifted enough for me to see the gleam of a silver box. With my free hand, I reached in the floor and removed the box. I set it down beside me and settled to loose floorboard back in its original place.

I settled on my knees and picked up the box with both of my hands. I stared at it for a brief moment, and then I finally brushed the dust off of the silver surface and revealed engraved silver letters saying In Memory.

Lifting the lid of the box with a gentle touch, I closed my eyes for what I was going to see next. I knew what was there, but I couldn't accept it. I reached in the box and felt the cold rectangular surface along my fingertips. I removed it from the silver box and set the box down.

Clutching the rectangle in my hands, I looked longingly at it. Through the dim candlelight, I could see the image. It was a picture of my Aunt. Aunt Ann was my best friend and the most important person to me.

The tears started rolling down my face. Why did she have to leave me so suddenly? Why would someone want to take my friend away from me? What did u do to deserve it?

I pulled the picture close to my chest and my hands gripped it tighter.

Come back… please come back…

Without warning, someone burst into my room. The door swung open and hit the wall. I held my breath and didn't want to be seen. I squeezed my eyes shut.

Go away! I don't want you to bother me!

I clutched the picture frame with a death grip. Then, I heard a soft voice call out my name. It was Veronica, coming to check on me.

I didn't want to answer. I didn't want her to come in my room in the first place. But realizing that Veronica would approach me either way, I answered her harshly.

I tried to sound superior, but that was a difficult task. I had been crying, and my voice was hoarse. I felt weak. But I can't help it. I'm heartbroken.

I felt a warm hand settle on my shoulder. I looked up at the face and saw an illuminated Veronica towering above me.

Without any words necessary, I flung myself into her arms.

I was taken aback by the Lady's sudden actions. I was ready to push her away, but then I heard muffled crying noises coming from Lady Amelia. I looked down at the girl curiously, and I noticed her head pressed against me, and her hands firmly gripping my apron.

I sighed heavily at the young Lady as she shook fearfully. All I could do was old her tight and comfort her. I didn't know what to do.

I gently rubbed the top of her head, feeling the tangled pink knots that formed in her hair, and allowed her to cry loudly. That was what she wanted. She wanted to be able to express her feelings without interference, and she wanted to be comforted.

"My Lady…what seems to be the problem?" I said finally. "Why are you so upset all of a sudden?"

Lady Amelia looked up at me with red and puffy eyes. With a slight hiccup, she managed to weakly speak.

"S-She's…gone." Lady Amelia whispered to me. "She's n-never…coming back."

"Who, my Lady?" I asked with deep curiosity. Was it her mother, perhaps?

"Aunt Ann." She replied, letting go of my apron. She wiped the tears from her eyes and looked back up at me, trying to appear confident while fighting back more tears. "She won't come back, and I didn't even say goodbye…"

Lady Amelia lowered her head and clenched her fist. She started to shake, and she made some quick gasping noises.

I extended my arms and placed them firmly on her shoulders. She shot her head back up and gazed at me with confusion.

"My Lady," I began. "There's no need to regret this. Her death was unpredicted. Nobody said goodbye to her properly before she was killed. Don't regret not saying goodbye. Don't cry because of her disappearance. She would want you to be happy, and rather mourn over her, she would want you to celebrate her life on this Earth."

My words seemed to move the Lady. She just stared quizzically into my eyes, saying nothing. I knew that she was no longer upset, because just by looking at her, I could tell that she was no longer fighting back her tears.

"Veronica…" She said slowly. I raised a brow. "You won't leave us without warning, right? You'll take care of me and Sarah forever, won't you?"

I smiled at the girl. Usually, Lady Amelia wanted to be seen as an adult. But right now, I looked at her and saw only the face of a child. Her puffy red eyes and tearstains down her face reminded me of how she looked when she was so little.

I pulled her close to me suddenly and embraced her softly. I could tell that she was taken aback, but she quickly accepted my sudden actions. I smoothed out the top of her head, straightening her soft pink hair. I felt her heart beat slow back into a steady pace, and she was no longer gasping for air.

I pushed her away from me far enough for her to look into my eyes.

"Of course, My Lady."