It had been a week since the party at Alishe Hinton’s residence. The estate of Alishe Julian was oddly calm for missing its Alishen. The maid’s tended to the gardens and meals of the Alishe. The stable boys cleaned the stables daily and the horses were strong and healthy. The head butler managed all the servants in place of the Alishen.
It was as if the Alishen was truly there, fuming, alone in her hallway. Except, she wasn't, and her hallway had changed, and she had changed as well. The hallway was clean, yet abandoned except for the maid Evandoss, who read inside the maids quarters of the hallway.
But, something was starting to change, slowly, undetected. Maids and servants continued to enter the hallway of the Alishen, spying on its state, and what it's shining neatness. It was a pastime they had, often enjoying their lunches staring out the tall windows to the lake just behind the home, searching her hallway.
Evandoss didn't care and just kept herself, shut in her room. She had wondered what happened on the night of the party. She had been relaxing outside with the other servants of the house. She only realized the Alishen had left when the servants from Alishe Julian told her that she would have to ride with the coachman and not the Alishen. Evandoss, assuming that the Alishen had just gotten angry after the party, didn't think too much about it.
Just like Evandoss, Julian could care less. He knew better than to go looking for her and giving her any more delusional hope that he loved her. The home was quiet as usual, and he rarely noticed her presence was gone. His friend on the other hand seemed livid about her going missing. Thinsen would pester Julian to go and find her, that maybe she was dead in a forest somewhere. But Julian’s answer was always the same. “Good, and good riddance.”
Although Julian didn't care about Angelique, he did think of Rebecca. ‘She was probably heavily bullied by Angelique. I should visit her.’ he thought, calling in his butler. The butler bowed deeply to Julian as Julian asked him to prepare a carriage to Rebecca’s home. ‘I wonder if she still is living in that shack.’ He thought as he put on his coat.
The coachman and the butler both sat in front to guide the horses, and Julian sat in the cabin, legs crossed. The butler whispered directions to the coachman, and the carriage peeled away from the house and to the Constante’s Lorden residence. Julian immediately realized this and opened the window to the front seating area. “This is the wrong way, turn back around,” he said, pointing behind him.
“Actually, my Alishe, news of the Constante’s getting possession of their estate has spread recently, I assure you, they will be there.'' The butler was a tad shaky, as this was just an educated guess, but it was better than wasting an hour to drive back and forth. Julian closed the window and sat back against the wall. “What a waste of time, Angelique still owns that house. She wouldn't sell it if it meant losing a million gold deal.” he sighed.
The carriage stopped in front of the gate. The morning sunrise silhouetted the house, and the windows had a bright glow. Julian walked up to the door cautiously. ‘Maybe Angelique is staying here. That may be how she was able to hide so well.’ he groaned, knocking on the hardwood. After a moment, the door was opened by two young servant girls, bowing deeply. In the doorway was Rebecca Constante, and her father, slowly walking on a cane behind her.” Alishe Julian. It is an honor to meet you. How unexpected!” she said, respectfully bowing her head slightly.
Julian was in a slight shock. He hadn't expected Rebecca to actually be there. Instead, he just stood in silence at their doorstep. “Well, please, come in. We haven't had the chance to properly thank you!” she said, ushering him in.
They all gathered in the salon as tea was served. “Again, thank you so much for all your house has done, Alishe. We are forever grateful.” she smiled, gently sniffing her tea. “Ah, you mean the containing of my wife? I assure you, she won't cause you any disturbance from now on. I apologize for what she did a week ago.”
Rebecca and her father both glanced at each other. “There seems to be a slight misunderstanding, Alishe. Your wife was absolutely no disturbance last week. If anything…” she coughed awkwardly, “ It should be me who is contained for being a disturbance. After what I did to her, I was surprised she was still so understanding.” Julian shook his head, his expression conflicted.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I had been on the streets begging for a month by then, and my father was deathly ill. As soon as I saw Angelique I was pushed by anger and lashed out. I admit I tried to harm her. But don't worry Alishe, all I did was wound her neck a bit, just a scratch!” she said, still looking glumly down. She had slightly regretted what she had done, and with Angelique now working as her servant, she could better understand her. Angelique had changed for good, she worked hard, resonated well with the new servants, and was able to have insightful and hilarious conversations with Rebecca. She had really made an impact on her family, and only after a week, had earned their full forgiveness, and friendship.
Thinking of the scar still showing on her neck, Rebecca’s heart was slightly hurt. But when she apologized, it was as if Angelique had never experienced it, and only responded with assurance and a smile.
Julian, meanwhile, recalled the mark on Angelique’s neck the night of the party. He hadn't seen it at first, but now he recalled. It was deep and slightly bloody, but her hairline covered up most of it. “Yes, I remember seeing that. What could you mean then about my family helping you?”
Rebecca and her father both looked slightly enthusiastic. “Ah yes. Well, as I had attacked the Alishen, I expected to be thrown in jail. She had ordered her maid to grab me and hold me down in the carriage. At worst, I thought she would kill me!”
“Typical.”
“But, Instead she drove me to the bank and gave back all my family's money. Even more surprising, she hired a private doctor to look after my father. And look at him, he has never felt better! He says it's as if a weight has been lifted from his shoulders. But, please forgive his silence, his throat still needs a few more days to adjust, according to the doctor.” Rebecca said, looking up with a glowing smile to her father.
“That’s just fine, It is important to maintain health. So, was that it?”
“Oh, well she also gave us our house back, and all the servants here were reinstated just a few days ago. It's truly wonderful what she's done for this place. She cleaned and refurbished most of the house actually.” Rebecca’s expression turned slightly sour. “But I do have a question for you, Alishe. When Angelique visited me she had a broken wrist, it was her left hand. Do you happen to know anything about it? It seems rather brutal, did she fall down the stairs recently? It's like the wound that never heals.”
Rebecca and her father both had the same grim expression. With all the work Angelique had been doing, her wrist just seemed to get worse and worse. She said she felt no pain, but the black bruise seemed to be creeping up her arm, growing with each day. Julian put down his tea and smiled. “Yes, she fell down a flight of stairs. Luckily, only her hand was hurt.”
Rebecca and her father looked at each other knowingly, as a group of servants with pastries waltzed in. “Ah, finally. I am rather hungry.” Rebecca sighed, eating the colorful macarons from a plate.
She had left out the information that Angelique was still at the house. And at that very moment, Angelique was in the kitchen, having prepared the very food her husband was eating. Rebecca knew very little of what happened a week ago at the party, only the fact that the broken wrist Angelique had was not from falling, but from a person. Rebecca had happened to pass Angelique while she was changing her bandages. The bruise on her arm was a large, human hand.
Julian's answer made it clear. He was the one who hurt Angelique. Rebecca grabbed the maid serving her gently by the hand and whispered to her, “Tell Angelique that Julian is here, she shouldn't leave the kitchen until I say it's safe.” The maid nodded and hurried away to the kitchen, out of breath, and stumbling to Angelique. “Rebecca has a guest, it's Alishe Julian. She said you should stay hidden until he’s gone.”
Angelique had just finished grinding almond powder when the maid arrived. She calmly put down the grinder and took a colorful butterfly cookie into her hand. “How does this taste?” she said, holding it up to the maids lips.
“Angelique, did you not hear me? The man you used to serve is here. The one who treated you so poorly!?” Angelique leaned back on the counter and fixed her apron. ‘Right, I told them I was a maid who escaped from the Alishe household. Hopefully, that won't come back to bite me.’
“I do not fear him. Rebecca will keep me safe. She’ll keep us all protected and provided for, no?” Angelique turned back around and began folding her macaron mix gently. Her hand disappeared under the table for a second, and when it was lifted again she had a food gel to color the macarons. “Anyway, what reason would he have to come to the kitchen!?”
…
“Wow, these pastries! Incredible!” Julian said, sitting back on the couch. He didn't believe what Rebecca had told him about Angelique, but he didn't want to comment on it further. He would check with Evandoss later when he reached home. 'Rebecca was whispering to her maid earlier. I think somethings rather suspicious.' He thought, wiping his mouth with a cloth napkin.“I must know the name of your cook, can I meet them?” he said, sitting up.
Rebecca blinked at him. “No.” she stuttered. Julian stared at her. “No? Why not?” Rebecca began to look around a bit, trying to come up with something. “They are very shy of strangers, you’ll frighten them.” She said, standing up hurriedly. “You must be busy, how about I send you off?”
Julian raised an eyebrow. “No, I really want to meet this man. Show me the way.” He said, standing up and straightening his coat. “Eh, what about my gardens, go to the garden. I just had new peonies planted.” Julian walked past her and down the hall. “Lets see, if I recall, the kitchen is...ah yes, that way!” He said, turning the corner.
Minnielle saw him walk past, and hurried in front of him to the kitchen. “Angelique quickly, hide!” she whispered frantically. Angelique stared at her confused. “Why? I’m busy with this. It's time-sensitive you know!” Angelique said, blinking at her bread dough. “Julian, the Alishe, he's coming!”
Just then, Julian entered the bustling kitchen. Upon seeing him, Angelique let out a gasp and turned away. She reached beneath the counter and pulled out two liquid food dye. ‘I’m sorry, perfect glowing skin. This is going to stain for a long time.’ She sighed, smearing the blue and red on her face haphazardly with her apron. She stood up quickly and continued cooking inconspicuously. Julian paced the rows until he saw her back. “Are you the pastry chef? You have such a skill. I've never tasted such wonderful treats!” He said, patting her back. Angelique turned around quickly, her hair mangled and tucked into a cap. “Who are you!” She rasped.
Minnielle standing beside her could barely hold in her laughter as Julian stood, mouth hanging wide open. “How rude, you should never have your jaw drop.” She said, in a hoarse voice, closing his mouth with her spatula. “Get out of my kitchen, you'll dirty the pastries.”
Rebecca rushed in behind him and seeing Angelique’s face almost choked to death. She struggled to control her wheezing as Angelique continued. “OUT OUT OF MY KITCHEN! ALL OF YOU!” hitting them gently on the head with her spatula. Rebecca guided Julian out, apologizing. “My old Edna just can't seem to realize the situation she's in, aha, she's half blind and deaf you know, 113 years old, yes she is! She got a nasty scar from a cake accident what a tragedy! And she's not too social at all!” They were finally pushed out of the kitchen and Angelique turned to scrub the dye out of her face, her skin still tinted pink in some places. “That was amazing Angelique! You were hilarious!” Minnielle exclaimed.
“Don't act so confident now, Minnielle. You may still lose your head!” The two laughed loudly as Angelique finished her last cake. Julian, who was now entering his carriage, held his chin in his hand. ‘I wondered why Rebecca was trying to keep me away from the kitchen. Angelique is hiding there. I should check if the information from Rebecca is true, I need to go to Evandoss.’
His carriage slowly pulled down the road, and away, back to his home.
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