Chapter 34 Chapter 34: So Many Emotions
Chapter 34 Chapter 34: So Many Emotions
Aliana Slate's POV:
"Just tell me what you would like, and I will get it for you," said the young servant woman as she walked over to the tall cabinet that Sebastian had previously opened to get the small dish of dip before he put it back.
This time, when she walked over to me, she had a small bottle of water. She set the bottle down in front of me on the counter right by the plate. I still had yet to move. I could tell that she was looking at the plate in front of me, viewing all of its contents, whenever she looked up at me and smiled politely.
"Would you like me to open it up for you?" She asked as she looked over at the small bottle of water.
I looked at it as well and then looked back at her before I nodded. She nodded, and she reached out and took the bottle off the counter, opened it, set it down next to the plate, and then set the lid down beside the bottle.
"I will be just outside," she said as she bowed her head and then turned to walk back around the opposite side of the center island and out the door, out of sight.
Well, that was a bit odd. But didn't exactly know what to say about that. I waited there another moment, listening to see if I heard anybody else, and by that point I knew I was completely alone again.
When I was sure no one was gonna come back into the room, I reached forward and picked up that small apple slice once more and took another small bite of it. I closed my eyes as I began to slowly chew the apple slice. It had been so long since I'd had anything that sweet. It's been so long since I've had anything to eat. I didn't know what to think.
Before I realized it, I had eaten half of the apple slices in front of me, and I didn't think I could eat another bite. There's no way I could be full... Right?
Just then, I heard what sounded like several different people coming closer, and they walked directly into the room where I was sitting. Right behind them was a young servant woman, and she walked over to stand right beside me.
"Oh, pardon me," said one of the three women who had walked to the opposite side of the counter. "We didn't realize there was anyone in here. We're here to prep for the evening meal."
I didn't say anything in response. What would be the appropriate thing to say?
"Shall I show you to your room?" Asked the servant woman. "By the way, you can refer to me as Lila."
"It's nice to meet you," I said very softly as I turned to look at the young woman standing beside me.
"It's nice to meet you too," Lila said as she took a step back so that I could turn towards her and slide off the stool.
When my feet came in contact with the floor, I nearly collapsed. Lila instantly reached out, grabbing me by both of my elbows and helping me to a standing position. The other three women who were standing on the opposite side of the counter, doing whatever they needed to do, gasped and were shocked, barely seeing me fall down. One of them quickly rushed out of the room.
"I can't..." I fumbled over my words as Lila continued to hold me by my elbows.
Just then, I heard a deep-toned voice speak as I heard the mass before they came into view, "What happened?"
Just then, I saw Edwin, the butler guy, come back with the one woman who had rushed out of the room after nearly seeing me fall down.
"She almost fell, sir," Lila said as she still held onto me.
"That's quite all right," Edwin said as he walked up to stand right beside me and wrapped one arm around my lower back, supporting my elbow from the other side as he grabbed my elbow on the side in which he was standing. "Lila, I want you to go and retrieve the master. I am sure he will want to know about this."
"Very good, sir. Is he in his study?" Lila asked, as I couldn't help but feel the weakness in my knees growing more intense.
"He's in the foyer," Edwin said as he looked down at me. "Make haste, Lila. And as for you, Miss, I would like you to have a seat back on the stool."
"I can't," is all I managed to say.
"Then I shall help you," Edwin spoke at that moment as he lightly lifted me up, and I stepped back to where I could place 1 foot on the lower crossmember of the stool. As he pulled up on me, lifting me higher, I could take a seat again. "There, that's quite better. Don't you think?"
All I could do was swallow. I could feel the burning sensation in my nose again. Suddenly, a cool sensation spread across my forehead as I knew I was fighting the tears that wanted to fall, but I didn't think I had the strength to cry, even if I had the chance.
"Did you enjoy your snack?" Edwin asked me then as he walked around to stand in front of me.
As I looked around the room, I noticed that the other two women on the opposite side of the counter had returned to their normal duties, seeing that I was sitting down so that they didn't have to worry about me. Not that they would have to worry about me at all. Seemed to care?
Just then, I noticed that Edwin's posture changed. I could tell that he stood up higher than before, as he was previously leaning down, watching me intently. It wasn't until I felt the atmosphere in the room change that I realized why.
"Are you all right?" I heard a deep voice ask me from behind as I turned my head to the side and saw Sebastian walking up.
There was a look of sheer concern across his face. It was a look that I had never seen before. I couldn't help it. Right then, I felt tears welling in my eyes, and I forced myself to look down into my lap. Sebastian didn't stop walking until he wrapped his arm around my lower back. He again placed his other arm underneath my knees as he picked me up and cradled me in his chest.
"Let's get you settled," Sebastian said as he turned to walk out of the room. Only once we were out of sight of everyone did he speak again. "I want to apologize for taking so long."
"No..." I said as I tried to glance up at him but couldn't meet his gaze completely.
"No?" Sebastian asked me. "I was gone for far too long. And it was that which caused you to almost fall."
"No..." I said again, rather timidly.
How was I to speak so he could understand me?