"It's time to start a new step in my life."
When observing herself in the mirror, Camilla unintentionally burst into laughter. It seemed she was happy; she closed her eyes as she spun around. She started leaping as soon as she hopped onto the bed. In her heart, she experienced a new sensation.
Someone unexpectedly knocked on the door when Camilla was busy messing up her bedroom.
"My lady, are you awake?"
**
Rita came to a halt in front of Camilla's room. Camilla didn't respond to her last night, so she did not bother her again. So Rita went to visit her master early in the morning.
"Are you awake, my lady?" Rita asked as she rapped on the door. After some time, Rita heard a door creak. She took a step back when she heard the sound. She spotted Camilla as Camilla opened the door. The smile on Camilla's face was catching. Rita smiled at her master as she spotted her master standing in front of her. She commented with a smile on her face.
"Good morning, dear lady."
"Good morning," Camilla said in response to Rita after a while. Rita accompanied Camilla as she entered the chamber. Rita initially surveyed the room after entering. She was a little taken aback when she saw Camilla had not even pulled back the drapes. But, for unknown reasons, Rita believed the chamber was a little cool. She could not determine the cause, but she had been feeling cold since the previous evening. Although it was surprising, she felt a chill when she got close to this area of the palace.
Rita pondered as she drew the drapes. When the sun's rays lit up the chamber, Rita saw that everything was in disarray. Rita widened her eyes and scanned the area. She took her time moving toward a cushion that was lying on the ground. After taking it, she placed the pillow on the bed. When she turned to Camilla to say something, she paused in the middle.
It took aback her when she noticed her master glancing at herself in the mirror and smiling strangely. She narrowed her eyes when she saw Camilla acting in such a way, since she had never noticed Camilla acting oddly. Camilla heard Rita speak out, "My lady," as she approached from behind.
Rita summoned Camilla once again, but Camilla did not even look back at her. When Camilla did not react, she approached her and asked, "My lady, are you okay?"
Camilla raised one eyebrow and turned to Rita with an expressionless face. Camilla said, "Yes, I am okay, Rita. Why are you asking?"
When she heard Camilla, Rita smiled and said, "My lady, I called you out so many times. But you were so preoccupied with the mirror."
Camilla smiled as she heard Rita. She then returned her focus to the mirror. "It's just that I am feeling fresh and energetic today," she added, gazing into the mirror.
Rita smiled and bowed her head, saying, "I am delighted to see my lady happy. Won't my lady stroll around today?"
"Oh yes, I have to. It totally preoccupied me with myself. You go wait for me; I will join you soon." Camilla spoke cheerfully. She did not wait there and went to change her outfit. Rita was pleased to see Camilla in such good spirits today. She eventually had the meal with her father last night, for which she had been longing. Rita smiled as she exhaled deeply. Rita was pleased to see that Camilla's and David's relationship was improving steadily. She began to tidy up the chamber as she was considering something. While she was doing so, suddenly her eyes moved to the ground. She focused more closely and noticed a dark mark on the floor.
Rita walked up to the spot and knelt. She touched that spot; it appeared as though the marble had burned in some way. She murmured in a confused tone, "What is it?"
She could not comprehend how the area could have become black. Did not her master notice it? Rita wondered as she stood up on her feet. But as she was about to turn her head, she noticed something under the bed, which caused her to turn around once again. She raised an eyebrow and stooped to check beneath the bed. She noticed something moving there.
Rita pursed her lips, showing some sort of nervousness. Her heart had been attempting to warn her since last night that something evil might lurk in this area. Even though she hadn't found anything, she was still uncertain about going, since she might not be right. Rita reached out to tug on the bed sheet so she could look below. But just as she angled her head to look down, Camilla's words startled her.
"Rita, what are you doing?"
It took aback Rita and she dropped to the ground since she had not expected it. "My lady," she said with a sigh, widening her eyes.
"You frightened me."
Camilla approached her, her face expressionless, and asked, "What were you doing?"
Rita rose to her feet and cast a sidelong glance in the direction of the bed corner. She thought her master's voice was strange in some way. Her tone was very calm, and it appeared that she did not like Rita to peep in such a way. "I-I was trying to tidy up, my lady," Rita stammered.
Camilla narrowed her eyes and stared at Rita for a few moments before turning back and stating, "You don't have to clean my chamber today. I'll do it later."
When Rita heard Camilla, she gaped, her mouth wide open. She could not get what Camilla had just ordered her. How could she have allowed Camilla to tidy up the chamber? It was her responsibility. Rita could not allow her master to clean the room. It would be disrespectful to her. So Rita spoke out, "How could I let you do that, my lady?" She said it in a perplexed tone. As her mouth was wide open in shock, she shrugged.
Camilla did not instantly turn around after hearing Rita. She took some time to turn back. She had a serious expression on her face, and it appeared that she did not want Rita to speak out again. She arched her brows and said, "Are you saying no to my order?"
Rita was really astounded to see Camilla acting in this way. She had never seen Camilla in that way before. Rita had never heard or seen Camilla speak in such a stern, commanding tone.
Rita gaped at her lips and pressed slowly. She lowered her gaze and gave a negative nod. After a time, she remarked, "I'm sorry, my lady. I didn't intend to say it."
Camilla moved her gaze from Rita and said, "Don't be sad or overthink about it. I just want to clean my chamber because I'm feeling so good today." Camilla said as she moved back to the mirror to fix her dress. Rita's eyes were wide when she heard Camilla. She was concerned that her master might misunderstand her. So she smiled sweetly and said hesitantly, "My lady, may I know why you are pleased today?"
Camilla raised an eyebrow as she heard Rita's questions once more. She took a glance at Rita. It seemed Rita's questions were making her uncomfortable. She sternly turned around and leaned up against the table, pressing her palms into the tabletop. She looked at Rita with a cocked head. Rita hesitated to make eye contact with Camilla. Camilla gave her a strange sense of humor right away. Then, all of a sudden, Camilla put a smirk on her lips, which made Rita confused. Camilla stated quietly.
"Because last night my father and I talked. That changed my life. I never expected to experience this day in my life."
With a nod of her head, Rita smiled. "My lady, I understand. I'm waiting outside for you." As Rita said, she walked out of the chamber. Camilla watched Rita come out of the chamber, her gaze fixed on her. Camilla stopped smiling and moved her gaze to the bed as she walked out. She gave a calm blink while keeping her gaze on the bed. She returned to looking in the mirror after a brief pause. "I will wait to see what I am worthy of," she said as she caressed her face.
Camilla looked down at her wrist, where a snake mark was clear. After a while, Camilla smiled as she touched the snake mark. Her grins were intriguing; it appeared like someone else was smiling in place of Camilla. She smiled as she walked out of her chamber. The chamber became abruptly quiet, although the breeze caused the drapes to swing. While the room was empty, there was a strange feeling that someone or something was around. From below the bed, a weird noise sprang out of nowhere.
To be continued...
[Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!]