The Knight's Mysterious Maid
Chapter 119: Change (2)

Chapter 119: Change (2)

"There was a point in time if someone were to mistreat the maids you would get worked up and curse their name from morning to night. That was before you were made the head maid. Now there seems to be a lack of care on your end and some of the maids have started to do as they like."

"I don’t only need a head maid who helps to keep the manor organised. I need someone who will look after the maids. If that is something you cannot do, there will be a change you will not like," said Rafael.

"I apologise if my actions appear to you that I do not care for them. I do care for my maids. I have to be harsh because of the position I am in," Mavis apologised.

"There is a way to be strict, but still be able to show that they can approach you. If you create all of these rules that place them to not have time to themselves, they will not come to you because they fear you will not care. I do not want to fire you so I hope you can go back to the person you were before you became the head maid. Can you do that?" Rafael asked.

"I can," Mavis promised as she lifted her head to see him.

"Good. Connor, Delilah, or anyone else who will step foot in here, if they ever trouble the maids, I want you to be on the maid’s side. With that taken care of, what did you eat for breakfast?" Rafael asked, curious about what was served for Annalise to have only eaten bread again along was what his mother gave her.

"Yes- wait!" Mavis exclaimed as she realised the question he asked her. She thought he was scolding her about something again. Why was he interested in what she ate? Did she look like she was not eating well? She never skipped her breakfast and because of Jonah’s interest in her, her plate always looked more full than the others.

"There were eggs, bread, a good juice that was prepared for us by the cook, and some-"

"Is there no meat? Like a sausage?" Rafael asked.

"Meat? In the morning? No, it is saved for dinner. The food is carefully planned because of the number of knights to be fed and the servants who stay here. It is something light to start the day and then we shall have meat at dinner. We eat after the knight’s breakfast has been sent out to their hall," Mavis explained, touching her warm cheek as she was warmed by him looking after her.

"I see. I will prepare more to the budget for what the servants will get to eat for breakfast. I will leave Edwin to work with the cook to know how much more will be added. There is a grand hunt coming up soon so there will be a lot of meat from the hunted animals. Let the maids know there will be a feast for their hard work. It will brighten up their mood," Rafael said, standing up from the table he sat on since he was finished with their talk.

Mavis was puzzled by his actions once more. The maids who resided here being given breakfast in the morning and dinner at night was a small offering. There were not too many households that would increase the money spent to feed maids when they could buy other things to show off their wealth.

No matter the wealth they had, no one wanted to waste money to feed maids they were already paying for their labour.

Mavis spoke to the maids from other estates and learned that their employers wanted to take away more money from their pay because of the food and shelter they received. There was already an amount taken away from their pay for food and shelter but employers were greedy to take more.

Mavis wanted to remind him that what the maids had already was more than enough since none of them had ever complained and if they did not like what was served to them, they should find breakfast elsewhere.

They were not Rafael to be receiving a big breakfast with different foods each morning. They were the maids and had to be grateful for what was served to them since there were servants in other homes who only received bread. It was harsh but the reality was that they were not in the position to ask for more than what was given to them.

"Before you go, I would like to know how it is going with Annalise as your maid. You came down to breakfast a little later than usual. If I need to train her more-"

"She is fine as she is. Henry came here on short notice. That was why I was late for breakfast. You have done well at training her so quickly. There are only a few things for her to learn on her own and there is no need to bother you when you have a lot of work," Rafael answered.

"That is good to know that she is doing well in this short arrangement. I hope that she no longer needs to worry about Delilah soon so she can go back to her previous duties. I say that because you have never liked having a personal maid," Mavis quickly added before he could misunderstand her words. "When Delilah has changed her attention to someone else, you won’t have to be bothered by a personal maid around you."

"I might have her say by my side," Rafael admitted.

He had gotten used to Annalise being near him throughout the day. She did not bother him and talking to her was always entertaining. This he could put up with since he enjoyed her presence.

Mavis smiled despite what she felt on the inside. Regardless of what Rafael asked of her not long ago, she was still concerned about Annalise being the maid by his side. What if Rafael were to have important guests while Annalise was still his maid? Mavis was certain Annalise would embarrass him.

When Annalise first came to work at the manor, Mavis overheard her asking questions about things even a small child should know. She didn’t know how to carry herself. Even if she grew up in a small town, Mavis thought there should have been a bit of training for Annalsie to know how to fit in here.

Mavis could be a little more soft on the maids, but what she would not do was let the maid make a mockery of Rafael when his peers were present. She truly cared for him and wanted to create the perfect picture of Rafael so those speaking about his background would be jealous of how grand his manor was and how perfect his servants were.

Contrary to her thoughts, Mavis replied, "Then I shall leave her be. I trust your judgment that she is doing well. Is there anything more that you want to say to me, Rafael?" She asked, referring to him as he requested. She had never been so uncomfortable in her life.

"That is all. You are dismissed to get back to work," Rafael replied.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺