The Knight's Mysterious Maid
Chapter 175: Future daughter-in-law (3)

Chapter 175: Future daughter-in-law (3)

"This is his manor, my lady."

Siena looked out the carriage window at the manor in which Rafael resided. It was larger than what the gossip back in her hometown said. "It is large, isn’t it? Like a castle. Everyone at home must have never seen it or did not want to upset the Normans by complimenting it."

"Most of the knights under his command reside here so it has to be large. From speaking to the other maids, I learned that the king is offering the land behind his home leading into the mountains so the manor could be expanded," said Kayla, Siena’s maid and childhood friend.

"That is good. I would like to see the faces of those back home who spoke ill of him and his home. Their homes are no match for his manor. It just goes to show how everyone talks because they can, not because they have all the facts. I like it," Siena said, looking around as much as she could.

Kayla agreed that it was big, but there was something that worried her. "It is lovely and only needs a woman’s touch to make it grand, but it is covered with knights. I fear it might not be safe for you, Siena."

"They are loyal to Rafael and it cannot be helped that he is a knight. I should not be uncomfortable around the men who swear their lives to follow his command. I will get used to it. We will," Siena added since Kayla would be wherever she went.

Kayla smiled despite her worries about the manor and all the men inside of it. "Are you not worried about the man outside telling Travis about you coming here?" She asked softly as it was likely the guard was listening.

"I don’t. He will be doing me a favour by telling Travis I was here. It will show that I am eager to make him and my father happy. I want to keep Travis happy for as long as I can until I can get out of his hold. My father finds it necessary that I marry into the Normans, but I will not be controlled by Travis. I get a bad feeling when I am near him," Siena said, looking away from the window.

She couldn’t stop thinking about his threat if she messed with his plans. Once she got close enough to Rafael to get this marriage on the way, she would let Rafael know all the things she overheard. Siena was going to be on her husband’s side in this battle.

"If we are to marry, I want him to trust me so that we can one day love each other. Do you think it would be possible?" Siena asked Kayla out loud, but she was actually asking herself.

This marriage was being arranged to fix the failed arranged marriage between her father and Rafael’s mother. She did not want to disappoint her father and since she could not easily step away from this union, she was going to make the most of it.

It could be worse.

Siena made herself feel better with that single thought. Travis could have had a son around her age and she would have to marry him. They could have picked a man who would be cruel to her. A man who had many women or a man who made himself feel better by beating on a woman. From what she heard about Rafael so far, there could have been a worse choice.

Siena could see herself settling down with Rafael. He would hate her at first because of the circumstances, but hopefully, they could one day understand each other.

Even if they couldn’t find it in their hearts to love each other, Rafael normally left for weeks so she would be all alone in the manor. She didn’t mind the two of them being apart. It would be better than having to face a husband she did not get along with every day.

Kayla stared at Siena who looked out at the manor like she was planning her future days. "Why not just tell your father that you are unsure-"

"To hear the same thing over and over again? My father knows what is best for me and one day, my husband will know what is best for me. They all believe Rafael is what I need. I will make the most of it and make myself happy. There is no point in sharing what I feel. Look at what happened to his mother. Said to have lost her mind for marrying a knight," Siena said, recalling the rumours she heard.

What was so bad about following your heart and being with the man you loved? Siena found Beatrice’s love story to be wonderful. Beatrice had a life that many envied. A man who loved her and a son who made her proud.

No matter how many times anyone brought up what Beatrice left behind and how much they insulted her husband, it would not change the fact that she experienced pure happiness that many couples in the kingdom would not get their hands on.

"I don’t have a lover to run away in the middle of the night nor do I have the strength like her to deal with what so many people have to say. Like everyone else, gossip and being backed into a corner to act as everyone expects me to, scares me. That’s why I am going to make the most of this engagement with Rafael. Don’t look so worried, Kayla. I will be fine," Siena promised.

She watched the guard Travis placed to watch her come back to the carriage after the little walk he had taken. It was time to end their conversation.

"Of course, you will be. I will be here by your side to help you with whatever you need. When do you think you will get closer to Rafael? We mustn’t waste any time," Kayla said, eager to have the two meet.

She was certain that after a few meetings, Rafael would fall for Siena. Siena was a wonderful young lady with a heart of gold. It was impossible for him to not one day love her. Kayla wanted the marriage to happen quickly so Siena would be out of Travis’s care.

She didn’t like the look the man sent to her when he saw her standing by the carriage. It was obvious he didn’t like Siena bringing along a servant that wasn’t under his control and it wouldn’t be long before he came looking to bribe or threaten her.

"I will not wait for Travis to introduce us. I will make a move on my own so our union is not all Travis’s doing. I will attend the competition he is holding. The ladies get to offer the knights gifts as a sign of good luck. I should find a charm or ribbon to offer to him. I should buy it today. All I need is for Travis to allow me to go. I am ready to leave," Siena said, done with looking at the manor.

If they stayed any longer Rafael’s guards might be suspicious and tell him about her carriage.

Siena rested her head on the back of her seat while Kayla got out to tell the guard and coachman that she was ready to go into the market.

This content is taken from free web nov𝒆l.com