The Knight's Mysterious Maid-Chapter 260: Judging (3)

"Your hands," Annalise said, opening up Beatrice’s hands when she noticed a cut.

"It is nothing. Just a little something from trying to get the sword. It is evidence that I took part in trying to put down an attacker. Though I didn’t do much," Beatrice replied, feeling excited about trying to help Annalise.

"That is not true. The two of you helped to get the sword out of his hands. We need to wash off the blood," Annalise said, looking around for where there might be water for the two of them to wash up.

Beatrice had a handkerchief with her which she took out to wipe Annalise’s hands with. The nosey people outside looking for something to talk about did not need to know that Annalise killed someone. "This will have to be done until we get somewhere to wash up. My clothes don’t feel clean anymore, and I am sure you want to soak in water," she said.

Annalise stood quietly, watching Beatrice carefully try to wipe away the blood from her hands without hurting her cuts. She did want to get into the water and wash away any traces of the dead man’s blood. "We can try to walk the market later."

"There is no need for that. As long as we get to spend some time together, I am happy. I will take this as a sign that I am not in need of any more shoes or dresses. River will be happy to hear that. This also means that I should just shop with all of you when we head home," Beatrice said, balling up the dirty handkerchief now that Annalise’s hand was clean.

"I noticed you looking at charms. Were they for some of the knights?" Beatrice asked, pretending that she didn’t know it was for her son. "You should get them on our way out."

"I will since I have already paid for them. Your husband looks like he wants to talk to you," Annalise said, looking behind Beatrice at River and then Siena stepping out of the room.

"Right. I must comfort him next since he will be angry with himself for someone slipping by him. I can look forward to him holding me tightly tonight," Beatrice said, fanning herself with her hands.

Annalise smiled, completely over the feelings she had a moment ago about Beatrice viewing her differently. Beatrice was back to normal after getting over the shock of someone dying before her. It made her question if she might be wrong about Rafael viewing her differently in the future.

"Annalise," Siena said, slowly walking to Annalise. "I’m sorry that I froze up there. I was just in shock at how you were able to kill him."

"I figure a lady like yourself has never seen death so your reaction is normal. I’d bet it is weird for you to see a woman be bold enough to attack a man. I suppose I would freeze up like you did if I lived my life sheltered. Don’t mind me," said Annalise, not bothered by the way Siena reacted anymore.

Kayla stayed close to Siena as she worried about Annalise.

Annalise noticed dislike in Kayla’s eyes and said, "You should get your maid to watch her mouth. Sometimes, I have a temper when I am called certain things, and I just can’t help how I react. It also angers me that I killed him for a good reason and yet fingers were pointed at me. I won’t forget that insult,’ Annalise said, staring Kayla dead in the eye.

Each time she saw Kayla she would remember the comment about her being a wild animal.

"What was I to say when you killed a man-"

"Kayla," Siena warned, looking over her shoulder to Kayla who was acting a fool today.

"Let’s leave it at the fact that if I am to ever see you being attacked anywhere I will walk by you and act as a lady. We’re all happy with that, right?" Annalise asked, smiling while Kayla frowned. Why should she try to help someone to then turn around and be called wild when she hated the word? "Let’s ignore each other which might honestly be a little hard considering you wanted to be friends."

"I apologise on her behalf," said Siena. freёwebnoѵel.com

Annalise didn’t care for the apology from Siena when Kayla’s mouth was perfectly fine. "I am not going to accept the apology because it is not from her and seeing the way she continues to stare at me as if she is still judging me, she doesn’t mean it. You told me that you don’t care for him anymore. Convince your maid so she keeps quiet."

Siena nodded her head. She didn’t know what Kayla and Annalise spoke of when she left to walk with Rafael, but knowing Kayla, she most likely told Annalise how she was a maid and not suited for Rafael. Kayla was normally more sensible than this which was why Siena was greatly annoyed with her behaviour now.

"I will see to it that she understands that we are not competing with each other," Siena answered.

"You should hurry back home to Lady Everett so your name won’t be attached to this mess. I’m sure no one here will speak of you helping me to take the sword so Travis won’t get angry with you. You should go now before you find yourself in more danger meant for the Callahans," Annalise advised Siena.

Siena added one more person who needed to be kept unharmed even though she wasn’t a target. In these deadly fights, anyone could get hurt so it was best she left so they had two less people to worry about.

"I agree that it is time for me to take my leave. I hope Rafael will be safe and when he returns, tell him that I will try to find more information about Travis. It was nice getting to know a little bit about you," Siena said, extending her hand out for Annalise to shake. She didn’t feel like they were ready for a hug just yet.

Annalise shook Siena’s hand. Kayla didn’t affect what she thought about Siena and Annalise hoped Siena would find the strength to tell others that they could not control her life.

Siena let go of Annalise’s hand and went over to Beatrice to tell her goodbye. Travis made a grave mistake of sending her on this trip since she was now quite certain that she was not going to sit quietly and go through this marriage with Rafael when he cared for someone else.

Annalise turned her attention to the outside of the shop. It wasn’t long since Rafael left, but she was hoping the fight he went to join was over and he would be returning perfectly fine soon. Annalise was about to look away from the crowd when she saw a familiar face staring at her. Like her, he blended in well.

Now she knew that the call she heard earlier was exactly what she thought it was. Annalise looked away from the crowd even though she knew he was aware she saw him. Their eyes met so she couldn’t claim that she did not see him.

He was probably expecting her to walk out of the shop to go to him and then go home, but Annalise was going to stick to her plan of leaving when Thomas came back. She couldn’t leave when she had no idea what happened with Rafael.

"Get what you need quickly, Annalise. We’ll be travelling to another house to stay until I hear from Rafael," said River.