Beloved

Chp. 20

Lilith

After Khael's departure, I returned back to our room. It was still much early but I wasn't planning on going back to sleep. The bed was still warm where he had been and I lingered there for a while. It was only when the girls had arrived for breakfast I became aware of the time.

They asked if I wanted to eat by the gardens and that they would escort me there. The garden was indeed lovely. It was by the small waterfall and there was a large tree to provide us shade. About half past my little meal and some tea, my girls and the other maids came to the creak with their baskets of laundry.

Half the girls had their clothes tied around their waist so the waters didn't soak them wet while the others sat by the rocks with the wooden wash boards. The small talks they had helped to pass their rigorous days.

I couldn't possibily sit still and watch them do everything. I found myself fidgeting but it wasn't a problem for them.

By the time I finished my little meal they were getting ready to carry the laundry back to the village. By the looks of it, there were more baskets and they would have to come back and forth.

"Oh, Lady Lilith! Here, give it to me."

Cree came running my way as she saw me carrying one of the baskets. I turned away as she tried to take it from me.

"These baskets are heavy and it'll be quite a walk. You don't need to do this."

"I-It's fine..I want to help you."

I smiled in hopes to deliver my sincerity. The ladies at Roem and my sisters always remained still and had the maids do the little chores. They ordered even the smallest of things to be done for them.

My father always reminded us that it was not our duties to be doing such menial work. We were to be the epitome of grace, elegance, and poise. And to always keep in mind of composure of dignity and manner.

But I did not wish to maintain and protect my character off of others. My hands and legs were perfectly fine to do things myself. I didnt want to create any barriers off my status.

For these reasons, I found it more comfortable disguising in with the common people. To be known just as a regular woman than one of the Pensingtons.

"Then let me come with you."

There were a lot more people now. Most of the men were out stocking up the cabins. The rest were in the fields and in the stables. A group of women passed by with large jugs and baskets on top their heads.

The others looked at me with wide eyes when I came with Cree to the fields by the laundry lines. Cicili was the only one that didn't seem surprised at my presence. And because of that I felt more comfortable.

My attention shifted to the beautifully dyed clothes hanged on the lines. It was indigo. It was absolutely gorgeous. There were a wide range of colors on the line, like waves of a rainbow. I couldn't keep my eyes off them as we walked pass under. We laid the baskets on the ground in lines of three.

I took a peek at the door that was left wide open. There was a group of women stirring and stepping the clothes drained in the tub. The dark colors were being seeped in and those that were ready were pulled out for the wooden wringer.

"Aren't these beautiful! One of the traveller's brought a bunch of new goods to our village."

She ran her hands gently across the wet cloth.

"Y-Yes..it's lovely."

Cicili shared her little stories of her encounters with the travellers and promised to show me next time they came. I was curious myself of the strange items they would bring here.

"I heard it's quite rare. The nobles only use it ocassionally for special events."

Both the girls seemed fascinated by things I've seen fairly often. I was engrossed in their free lives surrounded by this vast land while they seemed so interested in my life behind the walls of Roam.

There wasn't much I knew myself but as a child I've seen my sisters apply them the night before parties. Laurdes seemed to have noticed my fascination, one day she brought a small portion without any of them knowing. She would use the Indigo powder to color my nails.

The leaves were dried and grinded into fine powder. A pinch of it was enough on each nail and she tied them over with a wet strip of cloth. By the next morning, I saw them magically turn to beautiful colors.

"Oh, Cree you have to do this for me. Promise me you will!"

This small memory of mine also fascinated them.

"That's incredible. I've never thought it could be used in such a way. We've only used it to color our clothes...Well seems like all the girls here will have their nails painted soon."

"I-I will show you some time."

I came to realize that there were a few more people surrounding us. They were listening to me as I spoke. My cheeks became heated instantly and I looked down at the numerous eyes that were on me.

"Lady Lilith."

I turned to the voice that called me and it was a young girl I had never seen before.

"There's someone looking for you."

It was a surprise especially cause there wasn't anyone I knew here except the girls.

"Oh, it must be today. Khael's been waiting for a while. How unfortunate..he won't be able to see it until he returns."

I looked towards Cree and realized it was the day I would be engraved with the symbol of the Dravicks.

Cree wanted to come with me but I stopped her. I didn't want her to be walking back and forth cause of me. I followed the girl and we walked in silence. I couldn't help but wonder what the process would be like. My heart pounded irregularly and it made me nervous. It was a strange type of nervousness.

We passed the taverns and walked passed the drapes of a small room. Numerous candles lit the room and surrounded the art. The back door was open that led straight to the gates.

There was a woman with her back facing us. Her long hair, red hair was braided to the side and I saw the faint lines of the floral ink on one shoulder.

"Naibi, she's here."

I tilted my head, curious to see who it was and I realized I had seen her before. I saw her amongst the crowd as I looked out from the carriage.

She was a beautiful lady. I found myself absorbed in her presence.

"I've been waiting for you."

A small smile spread across her face and I felt my heart pound as it did before, as we walked here.

*

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