The Knight's Mysterious Maid-Chapter 350: Time alone (1)

Annalise’s first day in the manor was going by faster than she wanted because she could not find the dungeon. She had started to think that Rafael did not have one and killed off the people he said he was holding. It would be disappointing if there wasn’t a dungeon after she had gotten so excited to see one.

"Why do you need to find a dungeon? Won’t there be blood and rats down there? That is what I have heard," said Heidi, not wanting to see a rat. She was starting to wonder if working for Annalise was worse than her job before.

Heidi had been ecstatic to hear from Mavis that she was picked to be Annalise’s maid. That meant no more having to clean windows, the knight’s quarters, washing sheets down by the river, and more.

Heidi felt forever indebted to Annalise for giving her this opportunity. They were friends, but Annalise could have disregarded that and picked someone else. She could do whatever she wanted as the lady of the manor.

With Annalise’s acts of kindness, Heidi knew more than ever that she made the right decision to not be afraid and walk away from Annalise this morning. Heidi thought more and more about how the stories of the people from the border were wrong.

"Not everyone’s dungeons are filthy. If I had a dungeon, I would keep it clean and organised so that I can find what I want easily and my guests have a good stay," Annalise answered. "Swords in one place. Torturing tools in another."

"It is a dungeon, not a simple place where you are taking a happy trip. I think there is a good reason you cannot find his dungeon. Still, if you want him to tell you where it is, there are ways to get him to spill it, but you have to be willing to-"

"I already know how I will get him to tell me where the dungeon is. I can torture someone in a good way to get what I seek. It is soon time for dinner so he should be finished with his duties by now. Do you know if Beatrice and River are still here?" Annalise asked as she had not seen the two since breakfast. She didn’t want to think about what they might be doing alone.

"I don’t recall hearing about the two of them leaving before I came to your side. I know that Beatrice called for a doctor, but I do not know what for. If they are still here, they will come down for dinner. I’ve been holding this off for some time now but I can’t ignore it any longer. Can I ask you two questions?" Heidi asked, holding up two fingers.

"Yes, I did break Aria’s fingers after she slapped me. What is your other question?" Annalise asked, knowing she had guessed one of Heidi’s questions.

"You truly broke her fingers. Like, broken broken?" Heidi inquired, looking down at her own. How was it possible to break someone’s fingers? What did Annalise use?

"Broken broken?" Annalise repeated, confused by what Heidi meant. "She won’t be able to move them around to her liking for a while if that is what you are asking. They must feel numb, but then again, I never had my fingers broken to know how it feels. Maybe it is like getting stabbed."

"You have been stabbed?!" Heidi exclaimed, not knowing why she was surprised.

"Once. I’ve mostly had weapons cutting my skin if someone landed a hit on me. Strangely, there is a nice sensation like when you poke a wound made by a paper cut," said Annalise.

Heidi stared at Annalise in wonder. She thought she knew Annalise well although Annalise had secrets, but there was still so much to know and worry about. "I don’t know if I should worry more over how you broke her fingers or that you think a cut feels good. You are as weird as the others said you are. My second question is, who is he?" Heidi asked, pointing at Thomas.

Since she was sent to serve Annalise, this man was here, but he didn’t say a word nor did Annalise address him. Was he a guard from the border?

"Thomas is acting as my guard but his skills lie in recreating things he sees. And he was once my best friend before he made a grave mistake so now I am punishing him. The other men you might have seen today are also my guards. Ezra is like an uncle because I have known him all my life," Annalise answered.

Heidi felt pity for the man behind them since it had to hurt to hear Annalise say they were once best friends. Now she was curious about the mistake he made.

"It won’t be long before dinner starts, Annalise. You should end your search for the dungeon and head to the dining room," Heidi said, crossing her fingers as she hoped Annalise would give up.

"I suppose we have searched long enough. Rafael said he had a surprise for me but I have not seen him since breakfast to know what he wanted to show me. I think he lied to me so I wouldn’t search for the dungeon. Let’s go," Annalise said, turning around to head to the dining room. "Dinner came too fast. What must I do to make the days go slower?"

"I find that if there is something I am longing to do the next day, time goes by slowly. Try that," Heidi suggested.

"Have you spoken to Cara?" Annalise inquired, curious about where Cara’s head was at with her being from the border. Could they still be friends or was that all over now?

Heidi didn’t want to be caught in the middle of Annalise and Cara figuring out their friendship. She didn’t want to nudge Cara to speak about her feelings because Cara requested time alone. "Just give her more time. It is a lot to suddenly take in. I’m surprised at how well I am taking it," she admitted.

For anyone else, Heidi would be losing her mind that she was working for someone who came from the border. It was easier with Annalise because they shared a bond like they had known each other for many years. Besides, if she stopped being Annalise’s friend there weren’t many fun maids to pick from.

"Right. Edwin," Annalise greeted the butler as he approached them. He looked relieved as if he had been searching for her and was glad to finally stumble upon her. "Were you looking for me?"

"Yes. Rafael has made different arrangements for dinner tonight. Lady Beatrice will be eating alone with River and you will be eating alone with Rafael. I’ve already instructed Mavis that no one is to go up on your floor. You should head there now so you are not late. Rafael has already headed up."

Annalise wondered if this was setting up for the surprise Rafael had for her or if he was keeping her away from the dining room because the maids might still be scared of what happened this morning. Whatever the reason was, she looked forward to eating alone and not getting disturbed.

Hopefully.

Annalise turned to Heidi and Thomas. "You two can go have your dinner now. I won’t be needing you until tomorrow."

Thomas thought it would be best for him to stand guard near Annalise’s door since he didn’t trust anyone in the manor, but knew if he said this, Annalise would just send him away. He would have to stay close to Ezra and keep an eye out for strange movement from anyone.

Annalise left the two and made her way up to the second floor to go to Rafael’s bedroom. She already knew that with her room having a spider, Rafael would use his room for where they would eat, and he had already asked that she come to his room to sleep there.

Just as Edwin said, Annalise didn’t walk by any maids when she left the first floor and walked down the corridors toward her and Rafael’s rooms. This gave her hope that they would not be disturbed by anyone for any reason.

She didn’t care if there was a deadly fight happening by the gates of the manor. She was owed a moment alone with Rafael.

Annalise stopped right in front of Rafael’s door and knocked twice to let him know she was there. "Why am I knocking?" She muttered, realising she didn’t need his permission to enter. Annalise turned the doorknob and pushed the door open. "Oh," she said, surprised by the sight before her.