Chapter 10: A Family
It had been a few days since Alpha Robert's incident. By now, Rose had gotten used to life at Miss Aurelia's courtyard. Unlike the rest of the aristocrats, she didn't have to watch her words or be always alert of the danger. She had finally achieved the sense of security she always longed for.
She and Roma were almost age fellows and quickly became friends. Aunt Feng had divided duties between them. She had decided to revive the dead gardens to give the courtyard an appealing look.
Aurelia had a laid-back personality. She didn't burden them with lots of responsibilities and simply told them that they were free to do things they liked in their spare time. Right now they were sitting in the backyard since the backyard was relatively in good condition. The weather was good today.
Aurelia sat on a chair around the table with four chairs. She had a book in her hand while the table in front of her was filled with snacks such as cakes and fritters. Aunt Feng had decided to pamper her today. She looked up to see Roma bringing her tea followed by Aunt Feng. Rose was still busy tending to some outgrown branches of the flowered trees.
Aurelia concentrated on her slim back for some time until she heard Rose's voice.
'Thankfully Roma was able to look after this yard. It won't require much hard work compared to the front yards. Also it's a safe corner since no one passes by this side so my madam can relax here in the upcoming days.' Rose placed the tools in her hand on the ground before looking back to find Aurelia staring at her.
Nervously, she gulped. 'Why does young Miss keep staring at me? Do I have dirt on my face?' She subconsciously reached for her face. 'I don't think so. Then, could it be that she finds me ugly? No, no, in that case she would be avoiding looking at me. Does that mean she finds me pretty? Oh my, I hope young Miss is not into girls.' Rose looked flustered.
"Pfffttttt… hahahaha…." Aurelia burst into laughter. She found this new girl kinda cute. Aurelia had started to listen to her thoughts to see if she was working for someone but then her thought process had her hooked. These days her favorite pastime had changed from book reading to listening to Rose's thoughts. Everyone looked at Aurelia in amazement. Aunt Feng smiled at her gently, "you seem to be in a good mood today."
Aurelia smiled, "I am." Then watching the girls heading inside, she called them. "Come everyone, have a seat. The weather is good, we should enjoy it." Aunt Feng and Roma knew her so they didn't protest and proceeded to take a seat. Aunt Feng sat on her right side while Roma was opposite her. Aurelia placed the book in her hand aside and moved forward to pour tea for everyone.
She poured tea in four cups and gently placed them in front of each one by one. She then looked up to see Rose standing a little away, hesitant. "What are you doing there? Come have a seat." She could hear the little girl's internal struggle of how she could have a seat beside her master.
Sighing, she signaled her to move forward. "Come here." When Rose came to stand behind her, Aurelia stretched her arm to hold her hand before pulling her to sit on the chair beside hers. Placing the teacup in front of her, she looked at the girl's shocked face. Holding her hand which was placed in her lap, she gently smiled, "In this courtyard, we're a family of four. No master, no servants. I hope you get that soon." Then she let go of her after pressing her hand a little.
Rose felt her eyes filling up with water. Before she knew it, tap tap tap, tears fell in her lap on her folded hands. Then she sobbed and slowly her cries got louder, "boohooo….. hiccup..hiccup… boohhooo"
The sudden wails startled everyone. The other three people looked at each other in bewilderment. She had covered her face with both hands as she cried pitifully.
Rushing to her side they tried to pacify her. Roma held her hand while Aurelia patted her shoulder and aunt Feng poured her a glass of water. "There, there, calm down. Everything is going to turn out fine. You're going to be fine." Aurelia's soothing words hit her even harder and her sobs got louder. Aurelia and the other two looked at each other helplessly. "At least tell us why you are crying?" Roma asked her helplessly.
Rose removed her hands to look at Roma. Her face and eyes had turned red from crying intensely. "Why, sob, why do you trust me?" Roma looked at her confused.
"Because madam trusts you."
Unsatisfied, Rose looked at aunt Feng who understood the meaning of her gaze and said, "me too. Because Aurelia trusted you to let you work here, I trust you too."
Rose felt like banging her head on the table, "but you should be, sob, weary of me, for some time at least. Are you not scared that I may have misguided madam? Just because I told you a sad story about me, you'll believe me?" Aurelia suppressed her smile. This girl was confused as hell. She herself wanted to be trusted and allowed to work here but now she was worried that they were too trusting and could be conned by anyone.
Aunt Feng on the other hand replied to her seriously, "yes, there could be a chance of misjudgement if it was not Aurelia. I trust you because this child here kicked out more than fifteen maids from this courtyard at a young age because she was able to sense their ill intentions. Till now she never accepted a maid so if she accepted you, I'm sure she has found you worth trusting and I trust her ability to trust the right people."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone