The Great Escape

Chapter- 5

A dressing table located precisely beside the bed was adequately equipped with all sorts of makeup supplies.

On the opposite side of the entry door, there was a large window, silky red curtains hanging around it, the sight of the woods behind the mansion visible.

"Take off the curtains and hang these pink ones." Mrs Smith gestured towards the pink pile of textiles heaped inside a basket on the floor beside the bed.

"Change the bed sheet as well. It is inside. Wash them once you have taken all these off."

"Yes, ma'am."

With that, Mrs Smith stepped out of the room, leaving Ada alone to clean it up.

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After finishing the given chore, Ada was on her way to the kitchen when she was stopped in the middle by a gruff male servant. He handed her a to-do list.

"Here. Mrs Smith gave this for you."

Bring in the eggs from the chicken coop.

Feed the geese.

Clean the supply room.

Scrub the community bathroom.

Help prepare lunch.

Report after you are done.

Ada let out an inconspicuous sigh before handing the paper back to the servant. This was not Mrs Smith's handwriting. Hers was neat and clean, with words clear and big as a diamond. This one looked like ants were being forced to crawl on the page.

"I— I don't know how to read." She lied.

The servant raised an eyebrow at her, "And what makes you think I do," he scoffed.

This was a trap. Mrs Smith thought she can not read. She would never give her a to-do list.

She remembered the guard's name, Jason. A young man of over twenty summers who had once purposefully tripped her. She found him as likeable as pests. The feelings were reciprocated ferociously and intensely.

"You should ask the guards. They might know." He turned around and left.

Puffing her cheeks slightly, she was about to leave when she caught a guard staring at her.

They were almost always suspicious of her. Her burnt face had fuelled several rumours— all illogically stemming out of her deformed face. Most of them suggested she must be a witch. Which was true but their reason was still flawed, and she was cautious enough not to get caught anyway.

She gulped as the stares got intense and decided to play safe. Since she had put up the act of being illiterate since the start, to convey the direct higher-ups like Mrs Smith and Mr Thompson a subtextual message that she can not be a witch, she decided to carry on with that.

Ada looked around to find any familiar face but no one was there. She decided to rush to the kitchen. There, she can hand it to Mrs Smith. However, was suddenly stopped by man calling for her.

"Ada!" Young Master's voice rang in her ear. She halted and turned around to see him striding towards her in a strange urgency.

"Young Master." Ada bowed deeply as soon as he reached her.

"Good heavens, where have you been hiding? I could not find you anywhere." Paris rubbed his forehead, his fiery locks tumbling out from the man bun and resting peacefully on his cheeks.

"My apologies for the—"

"No, not required. How is your hand? Is the cut deep?" He asked with a frown. He snatched her hand away from her side and his frown deepened. Ada looked to the sides anxiously, then sighed when she saw no one around.

"You are yet to apply any ointment over it."

There.

This is Young Master Paris.

He is a good man. Whatever happened in the morning?

"I will—" Ada started, trying to take her hand out of his grip before anyone sees them. Given that Paris was a fool when it came to practicality, he would not pay much mind to the details. Ada knew, however, this could potentially lead to a wild scandal.

Last thing she wanted was the tag of seductress on her head and kicks from Lady Kiara on her back.

When the news spread two years back that the Young Master of Monroe Mansion has brought home a girl, speculations and rumors had reached a new high. Ladies were heartbroken and aristocrats were livid since their offsprings were overlooked. It came to the point where some nobles even sent presents for the wedding along with letters of blessings and promises to visit the newly married couple soon.

And then they saw her face.

As hurtful as needless to say, the rumors died quicker then fruitflies.

"No, you will not."  Paris pursed his lips and readjusted his fingers on her hand. He was now holding her wrist tightly.

He, for sure, is going to be the sole root of my death.

"Young Master—"

"You never listen. What possessed you to pick up the broken cup so recklessly in the first place?"

Ada knew. Since he had brought her in, as a payback of the help he received from her, the Young Master had taken it upon himself to ensure that she survives. Most understood it but when the thrill of gossip kicks in, even the most carefully sealed lips are let loose.

"My apologies—"

"Cease the mindless apologies," he huffed,"Go to the infirmary. Get treated. I would have offered you my company but I happen to be in a hurry. But, do remember, I will be checking up on you later today. Keep that in mind."

Abruptly letting go of her hand, Paris gave her a hearty pat on the head and left.

A/N: Thoughts on Paris?

Thanks for reading! XD