The Knight's Mysterious Maid
Chapter 90: Suspicious (1)

Chapter 90: Suspicious (1)

Annalise decided to use the free time Rafael gave her to find Cara and speak about what happened yesterday. She didn’t get the chance to speak to Cara yesterday evening since she did not show up to dinner and was not in her room. Annalise assumed she left to visit her parents after Mavis spoke to her.

Annalise couldn’t look for Cara when she woke up this morning since she went straight to Rafael. Before Cara could feel like Annalise was being a bad friend for not checking on her, despite the fact that Annalise could not find her, Annalise wanted to speak with Cara as soon as possible.

Annalise avoided as many maids as she could as she walked to the servant quarters on the other side of the manor. She stopped in front of Cara’s door, which was already wide open, like Cara was expecting her.

"Good morning," Annalise said, knocking on the door to get Cara’s attention.

Cara looked up from the pile of dresses on the floor to Annalise, who smiled and waved her hand. She squinted her eyes, wanting to know why Annalise was there, but did not ask and went back to folding her dresses. She unfolded them just to fold them back so she could get her mind off missing a day of work.

"I don’t want to come in unless you invite me in, and I am sorry for being a bad friend with what I say next. Why do you seem angry with me?" Annalise asked, not seeing why Cara should be angry with her. It was not yet confirmed that Cara had gotten into an argument because of her. "Are you angry that I became his personal maid?"

"Of course I am. I wanted that job just like everyone else, so I can’t help being angry while also wanting to congratulate you. It is frustrating," Cara sighed, balling up a dress instead of folding it.

On one hand, she was glad the position was given to Annalise instead of someone she did not like, but then she felt jealous. Jealous that she had been overlooked and the job given to Annalise.

"Is that why you are ignoring me? It’s fine for you to be jealous, but I sense there is something more to why you looked away when you saw that it was me standing here. Can I come in?" Annalise asked, not wanting to go inside without Cara’s permission.

"Come inside. I’m angry that I let my emotions get the best of me and missed a day of work that I cannot afford to miss. I had everything planned out so I could buy a dress, and now I will be behind on the money I wanted to send to my mother," Cara said.

"What happened because I have not been told the full story," Annalise said, sitting down on the floor to help Cara fold her dresses.

"After you left with Mavis, everyone had their opinions about you becoming Rafael’s maid. I expressed my disbelief that you were able to get the job, and then I heard Aria say that I should have expected it considering everything you have done to get there. I kind of got irritated with her for still believing Rafael was favouring you, and we started to argue. I threw my leaves at her. "I am lucky not to be fired," Cara concluded, still surprised she had a job.

"Thank you for standing up for me, but you don’t need to do that anymore. I don’t want you to lose your job over something that has to do with me. Let Aria talk. We may not like what she has to say, but it is her mouth. She’ll get herself into trouble for assuming what Rafael said was not happening. I will make up for what you lost by giving you my pay-"

"No," Cara said, reaching forward to touch Annalise’s leg. It was her decision to argue with Aria while they were in the middle of work. She was angry that she was missing out on a day of work, but if time were to reverse, she would throw those leaves again. "You don’t need to do that. It was my actions."

"Cara, I will be getting more money as Rafael’s personal maid. Allow me to help you not miss out on sending more money to your mother. I will not take no for an answer. You have been kind to me, though I am like a child getting used to how this town works. I am grateful to have you around and for your loyalty, I will do anything for you. I consider you one of my own," Annalise stated.

Annalise was big on loyalty and protected those who fought for her when she was not around. She had many friends back home, but her friendship with Cara felt different.

"Considering the fact you seemed to have grown up picking all kinds of animals, I worry about what it means to be one of your own, but I am flattered. Now, if you want to cheer me up, how about the next time we do not have to work, you come with me to look for a dress for you- Don’t run!" Cara exclaimed, grabbing Annalise’s hand. "Just one dress that you will have to pay for, and you must attend one of the festivals with me."

"I think giving half of my pay for today is already enough to cheer you up, so let go. I have to be at the front door by the time Rafael is finished with breakfast. Forget the dress, and if Rafael ever asks about another maid to help me with work, I will suggest you," Annalise said, prying Cara’s fingers off her hand.

"Wonderful!" Cara released Annalise. This was part of the reason why she had been so defensive when it came to Annalise. Aria was spouting nonsense about Annalise, who would look to help them. "Get out of my room now," she said, shooing Annalise away. "I am still jealous that you get to be alone with Rafael in the room, but it will be gone by the next time we see each other."

Annalise doubted it would be gone so soon since all Cara ever spoke of was being alone with Rafael, but she was satisfied with their friendship not changing because of her being his maid.

"Before I go, I didn’t get this job because of something special. Delilah is trying to get revenge for me putting beetles in a dress that belonged to me, so Rafael is keeping me close to protect me. I will see you at dinner," Annalise smiled, stepping out of the room to avoid telling Cara anymore about it.

"What!" She heard Cara yell. According to their past conversations, she was leaving when there was something good to gossip about.

Annalise felt relieved now that the situation with Cara had been dealt with. Now she could focus on doing a good job as Rafael’s maid. She crossed her fingers, hoping he would go other places than his mother’s room so she could make a list of places Thomas should visit to get more information about the war.

Annalise went to the front door to be there when Rafael was finished. She kicked around small rocks with her shoes to pass the time.

"Did you go to eat?"

Annalise gasped, looking up at Rafael, who caught her by surprise. Was he trying to compete to see who could be more silent as they walked? Annalise frowned, annoyed that she had missed him approaching her. She hated to think that since she was not training as much as she used to, she was losing her skills.

"I had bread for breakfast," she replied.

Rafael took her frown for her disappointment in the bread. There was plenty of food left after he had eaten breakfast, but to avoid the maids overthinking, he decided to let her have something when they reached his mother’s home if Annalise needed something more than bread to fill her stomach.

Visit freewe𝑏nove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺 for the 𝑏est n𝘰vel reading experience