Kitanna
Chapter 125: HEARTBEAT AND LAVENDER

Chapter 125: HEARTBEAT AND LAVENDER

[MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: MOONLIGHT ~ JASMINE CEPHAS-JONES]

Few weeks had passed since Axilla was bullied by Panha and her maidens. Even though Cortez didn’t harshly dismiss Panha, he made sure the woman stayed as far away from Axilla.

The incident made Axilla have so many enemies; every time she passed, she noticed the resentful gaze and attitude directed towards her. Even when she greeted some, they didn’t bother to respond to her. Some ladies went as far as gossiping about her to her own hearing; they didn’t care how she felt about it.

"She feels because the Chief is enjoying her time in bed, then she’s the chosen one." One of the maidens said in a loud voice, making sure that Axilla heard her clearly, and when their eyes met, the woman sneered at the girl.

"Someone even heard the sounds she makes when the Chief is doing her. For a young girl looking innocent, she’s quite promiscuous; who knows the kind of life she used to live before now." Another maiden added; this caused a laugh to erupt from the rest of the women.

Axilla held her dress tightly; she wanted to ignore what was being said about her, but who wouldn’t defend themselves when false allegations are being placed on their name. Her ear burned red in shame; these people didn’t know the type of life she lived before now, but they thought cursing her out was the best way.

Axilla pushed the words behind her and entered the bathroom as it was only one washroom for females. If she waited for them to bathe, it’d be late, and she wouldn’t be able to use the water again. Last time she waited for them to bathe first before using the bathroom, they poured sand inside her bathing water, and it was not a good experience, as she had slept that night without bathing.

Axilla dropped her soap and raised her hands to knot her brown hair properly before undressing.

"Quite audacious of her, to remain here after taking her fellow woman’s man! Humph." This last statement pissed Axilla off that she didn’t know when she blurted out.

"I didn’t do any of what you accuse me of; I haven’t been laid by any man, including the Chief, and Chief Panha was the one who bullied me first." She retorted, her hazel eyes looking at the maidens.

They all stared at her indifferently for a moment before they turned to continue what they were doing, like nobody had spoken.

Axilla inhaled deeply; she made up her mind to ignore them totally. After all, they don’t have the right to judge her, even though she had done nothing wrong. She picked up her soap and poured the cold water on her body. After bathing, she tied her hair into a ponytail and changed into her nightwear so she wouldn’t attract attention from the young master when she goes back to the room.

Holding her soap and bath towel very close to her chest, Axilla made her way to the room, her eyes darting left and right. She didn’t want to be caught unguarded by anyone again and dragged away. The trauma of what happened with Panha still etched clearly in her mind; she wasn’t going to forget it so easily.

Axilla dropped her soap, and raised her hands to knot her brown hair properly before undressing.

"Looking for something?" Cortez said in a low voice, his back resting on the wall with one of his legs raised behind.

Axilla held what was on her chest closely, "Young master...did you need something?" She hadn’t expected him to be outside this late; sometimes the young master slept off before she entered the room or he doesn’t sleep in the room at all.

Cortez pushed himself from the wall, standing firmly on his two legs. He sauntered to close the distance between them, brushing the baby hair that was snugly latched on the girl’s face. He noticed how the girl shivered when his hands brushed on her skin.

"I figured you’d be needing company, or it wasn’t necessary?" He dropped his hand, turning back for the girl to trot behind him.

When Cortez started walking, Axilla took it as a cue to follow behind, making sure two steps separated them. She pressed her lips gently.

"I’m not saying it’s unnecessary. I’m just saying it’s a big stress on your side." She said innocently, blinking her eyes to stop the water droplets from entering; she didn’t notice when Cortez glanced back briefly to see if the girl was still behind him.

"Always worried about others before herself. I’m glad you worry about me. Are you having a hard time staying here?" Once they got to the room, Cortez pushed the door open and allowed the girl to step in first.

Axilla entered the room; she didn’t know what to answer the young master. Complaining too much to him that she was being bullied would make her look like a bug. On the other hand, the young master knew everything that happened among the merchants; his ears were everywhere, what if he heard some things already. Maybe she should just beg him to send her back to the palace, Axilla thought.

"I won’t say I’m not having a hard time; I won’t also say I’m not learning from it. All I’m asking is when can I go back to stay with the princess." She said, the candles flickering because of the night breeze.

Cortez watched the girl for a moment, "Tomorrow, you’ll go back tomorrow." Removing his shoes and placing them close to the bed.

Axilla didn’t expect to hear it; she blinked hard. "For real?? Oh my God!!! Thank you so much, young master." The girl shouted in gleefully.

Cortez sat on the bed pulling the bed cover away, "I don’t know if I should feel bad that you can’t wait to leave my side or feel happy that you’re a loyal person. It means you didn’t enjoy your stay here." His voice was suddenly low and distant.

Axilla moved to the other side of the bed, joining him on the bed. She felt bad; she didn’t know her words would hurt the man that much. "No! You made my stay here wonderful; I enjoyed it too." The girl replied.

Cortez turned to look at the girl, his eyes filled with mirth. He let the grin he had been hiding spread on his lips. "Silly girl. Panha said some guests have been going to the palace a lot lately. Is good for business so since I’ll be making a visit why not take you too." He remarked.

"I know you hate Panha, but she has eyes for good business, she’s valuable." Cortez added. Talking like true business man he was who didn’t allow personal problems affect his progress.

Axilla nodded her head slowly before pushing the bed cover away, lying down on the bed to face the ceiling when she noticed something moved; her mistake was to turn and look.

"W--what are you doing young master?" Axilla held her hands very close to her chest looking away from the man.

Cortez dropped his shirt that he had just removed, "What does it look like I’m doing?" He asked like he had done nothing wrong.

Axilla felt her heartbeat rise; her cheeks becoming warmer than the candlelight. This was the reason people had the wrong idea about them. Why was this man removing his shirt in front of her?

"Y-you are undressing...." Axilla said in a small voice, feeling suffocated because the fleeting moment she saw the man’s body she still wanted to look back and check it out but she had to protect her chastity.

"Did you bathe with lavender ...I love the scent." He ignored the girl’s worries, asking what he wanted.

Axilla bit her lips; how was his questions relevant to what he was doing? "Yes, I use lavender flower buds."

Cortez hummed and laid back on the bed, "This night is hot, I can’t sleep with my shirts. Don’t worry I have no intentions of touching you. But your heartbeat and lavender scent are a nice lullaby and therapy for me tonight."

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