Chapter 10: The garden of whispers
*Author pov*
The morning sun peeked through the curtains, casting a soft glow on the dorm room.
There Eveline and Saerom stirred, their sleep-laden eyes blinking against the day. Due to the trouble they brewed—their latest escapade had earned them a detention from Michelle. Their punishment? Preparing breakfast for the other maids for a month.
Eveline wrestled with her pillow, its soft embrace tempting her back to slumber. In the same moment, Saerom had already surrendered, slipping back into dreamland.
But, the kitchen in their servant quarters awaited them.
Reem's countdown echoed—the urgency of impending consequences.
Jolted from their slumber, they realised their punishment and sprang into action.
Eveline reached for a hair tie, tying chestnut hair, while Saerom deftly tucked her ebony curly hair behind her ears and decided to put her curls into a messy bun. Uniforms were donned—the fabric a shield against reprimand.
Eveline and Saerom descended to the kitchen, their footsteps echoing in the quiet morning. Eveline shook her head, a futile attempt to ward off sleep. She splashed water on her face, the cold shock invigorating her senses.
Saerom just passed by the sink and went straight to the fridge.
Her eyes scanned the shelves, seeking sustenance.
As the kitchen bustled with activity, Eveline cracked eggs and Saerom mixed pancake batter. Their hands moved in rhythm—the promise of breakfast taking shape. But Saerom's words disrupted the harmony.
"Of everything you could think of, breakfast was the one that came to your head,"
Saerom teased. But Eveline's annoyance only flared.
"At least, I said something,"
Saerom's glare matched Eveline's.
"Well, you could said something else,"
Saerom retorted.
In a careless gesture, her arm sent pancake mix flying. Eveline's skirt bore the splatter, and her annoyance turned to fury.
She lifted the stained fabric. Holding it like a battle flag. Saerom, undeterred, grabbed a spoon in front of her to avail it as a shield.
Their eyes locked—a duel of determination. Eveline's voice cut through the tension.
"Do you want us to lose our jobs?"
Saerom's nod was resolute.
"Of course not, silly"
she replied back and pointed the spoon at Eveline's face—a declaration of war
Eveline seized another spoon. With Saerom, they took positions like knights and fought fiercely with spoons.
Eveline skilfully knocked the spoon from Saerom's hand. But, Saerom retaliated by grabbing Eveline's hair.
In turn, Eveline clutched Saerom's hair, creating a tangled standoff. The skirmish got worse. Saerom tugged at Eveline's skirt. Eveline retaliated by grabbing Saerom's top.
Lexi entered the scene, accompanied by Armengard and Vicky. Lexi surveyed. The two combatants in the midst of their kitchen duel.
Eveline and Saerom maintained their frozen positions, their eyes darting back at Lexi the sub-head
Lexi let out an amused sigh, her expression a mix of amusement and exasperation. She quipped
"I see, this is the results from the punishment"
She passed by. Armengard and Vicky followed, their snicker echoing.
After Saerom and Eveline`s skirmish battle.
The girls settled down and managed to whip up breakfast. The other maids trickled in, ready to enjoy the morning meal. Eveline and Saerom sat down.Their expressions reflected satisfaction at the delicious food they'd prepared.
Soon, the maids parted ways to tackle their respective tasks.
Eveline informed Saerom that she needed to retrieve Duke Akai's clothes for laundry duty. Saerom nodded, continuing toward the garden where Robert awaited her.
There, Robert revealed her mission for the day. Planting new plants around the mansion grounds. Saerom selected a few specimens and set off to begin her work.
Meanwhile, Eveline stood near the mansion entrance, basking in the beauty of the day. The weather was enchanting, and she found herself lost in its serenity.
A voice cut through the silence—it was Sebastian, the head-butler. His black hair has turned gray over the years. This gives him a distinguished and mature appearance.
His blue eyes express warmth and wisdom. They reflect his years of service to the Blackwood family.The wrinkles on his face display his dedication and commitment to his role.
"Good morning"
He said, smiling, his wrinkles visible of the corner of his eyes.
She responded back with a smile.
The carriage came to a halt in front of Eveline and Sebastian.
With a courteous gesture, Sebastian assisted Eveline as she stepped inside. She expressed her gratitude, and together, they descended from the carriage.
But, their progress was blocked. The town's narrow streets couldn't fit the carriage.
Eveline alighted first. Closely followed by Sebastian, who carried some of Duke Akai's garments meant for drying.
They walked side by side. Engaged in a pleasant conversation, unraveling layers of familiarity. Sebastian's voice softened as he remarked,
"Eveline, you own such a beautiful name."
Eveline blushed, her cheeks mirroring the morning sun. He continued, inquiring about her experiences working at the estate.
Eveline shared that everything had been going well. Sebastian, with a hint of nostalgia, revealed that he had served Duke Akai since he was a young master.
Sebastian courteously guided Eveline to the dryer. Then, he excused himself to attend to his own tasks. Eveline stepped inside, clutching Duke Akai's clothes.
A friendly girl welcomed her. She informed Eveline that the drying process would take approximately two hours. She stood there, pondering how to spend her time.
Back in the mansion, Saerom kept doing her diligent work. Planting the green life Robert had entrusted her in her care.
The soil yielded to her touch, and each plant found its place in the earth. Meanwhile, within the palace walls, Zella roamed restlessly. Boredom gnawed at him—he hadn't yet encountered the others.
He wandered down the grand hallway. A distant sound reached his ears. Was it a song? A haunting melody that beckoned him?
Driven by curiosity, he followed the ethereal notes, drawn toward their origin. He stepped outside the mansion's entrance. He found himself in front of the estate`s garden. There, he took a glimpse of her—an enchanting beauty that matched the melodic tune.
He whispered her name, a secret shared only with the air.
Zella's mind raced. He could have approached her with the suave charm he wielded like, back in the noble society, leaving her swooning over his handsome appearance, like the other girls did.
But as he stole another glimpse of her, something shifted within him. He froze, staring intently at the young woman before him, Saerom standing amidst in the blooming garden.
It was unlike him—a suave duke, the master of courtly flirtations—to be so captivated by a mere maid. The roles were reversed, and it felt impossible for him..
Hiding behind a massive ivory stone pillar, Zella observed Saerom without realizing he was doing so.
Her lips hummed the same beautiful tune that had lured him here, and her delicate hands planted flowers with grace. Zella couldn't tear his eyes away.
He mentally captured each detail—the way her black, curly hair flowed in the breeze, the sun's gentle kiss on her caramel-brown skin.
In the meantime, Saerom repeated the verse from a forgotten melody, her voice soft and soothing.
An inexplicable shiver coursed through her, as if someone watched her every move. She turned, almost catching sight of the Duke. Swift as a shadow, he sidestepped, concealing himself behind the pillar. Saerom's expression mirrored her own unease,
"I'm certain,"
she whispered, her voice barely audible,
"I felt someone's eyes upon me."
The persistent growl of her stomach reminded her of a more essential task—food.
She scanned the garden, seeking Robert—the head gardener. To inform him that her planting duties were complete and that she longed to hurry back to the kitchen, where a delicious feast awaited.
Meanwhile, Zella seized an opportunity. He had watched Saerom from his hidden vantage point, calculating the distance between them.
She walked toward the mansion, unaware of his presence.
The sun dappling her hair and clinging to her skin, he resolved to court her.
As Saerom approached the entrance, her senses tingled again. The air held a hint of anticipation, a prelude to the unexpected.
Just as she was about to step inside, Zella materialized in front of her, like a phantom stepping out of the shadows. His eyes sparkled with mischief, and his smile was both daring and disarming.
" Hello there, my love"
he said, his voice a velvet caress.
Saerom startled, her pulse quickening. She lost her balance, falling backward,
In that fleeting moment, She closed her eyes. Braced for the impact. This would be the end of her, she thought, until strong arms encircled her waist, holding her. Anchoring her to the present.
The sun witnessed their dance—the collision of two souls, drawn together by fate or folly.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone