Chapter 15 I think I want both
Lyra's POV.
I couldn't even open my eyes as the water was too much to bear and it kept running. I kept gasping, water kept going in and out of my mouth.
When a hand grabbed me firmly by the waist, I was forced to open my eyes.
I didn't get a clear glimpse of who the person was but I knew it was a man, masculine and with biceps.
He got me out of the water and slammed me onto the floor. With my eyes still closed, I coughed out water and tried to steady my breath.
I opened my eyes but the way I was feeling was nothing compared to the shock that struck me.
It was the alpha heir. Lord Kael was shirtless in front of me, staring intently at me while panting.
I quickly dragged my heavy soaked body off the ground and bowed slightly, lips shivering.
“Lord Kael, I….” I didn't even know what to say.
“What the fucking hell were you doing here?” He asked. “Spying on me while I take a bath?”
I quickly retorted. “No! That is not it”
“I had to wash clothes on Lady Seraphina's orders,” I added.
“You are so useless you can't even swim! Much more useless for looking so fragile but being so damn heavy!” he spat and gave me a disapproving look.
He picked his shirt which I didn't notice was placed on one of the rocks and stormed away without turning while my eyes trailed behind him.
I facepalmed myself and groaned. Why the fuck had I moved closer to the water? Why the fuck did I fall inside?
I washed the clothes and it took me hours before I could finish.
They were whites and even though they were only used to cover tables, a lot of them were dirty.
Many of the guests had no manners, they stained the whole clothes with the dishes and the refreshments.
I knew the time should be around 11pm when I finished washing. She wanted it to be dried and folded before breakfast the next day.
Breakfasts were usually done by 8am in the grand hall. I needed to get the clothes to her before then.
I spread it and watched over it while it dried. I was scared because it was too late and I was the only one at the river but even with the way I was afraid, I drifted to sleep.
I was woken up when something kept tapping my sides and I jumped up only to see that the fog was already clearing.
It was morning already.
I looked up at the person who was tapping me and was surprised to see lord Elias.
I looked around for the clothes I spread but couldn't find them anywhere.
I stood up quickly, my whole body in panic “Where did they go?” I asked, looking around everywhere.
“The white clothes?” He asked and I turned to him immediately, giving a restless response. “Yes”
“There they are” he said and I could see the clothes already folded in the basket I brought them here with.
“Did you…… fold them?” I asked, surprised.
“Wait” he didn't answer my question yet. “Don't tell me you passed the night out here washing and spreading clothes”
“I did,” I replied. “Thank you for folding them”
“What do you think the time is?” I asked.
“It should be 7am already,” he said.
My eyes widened and I quickly carried the basket and bowed deeply to him in a hurry.
“Thank you once again,” I said.
I hurried over to Seraphina, searching and asking about her chambers.
When I got there, I was allowed entrance.
She was sitting on her bed, already dressed for the day. A mirror was in front of her as she looked at her face with a smile.
“The alpha should like my morning face today,” she said.
I didn't know if she was talking to me or her escorts who were in the room but were acting like nothing more than robots.
When she finally had the time to face me, I placed the basket of folded white clothes in front of her.
“You really washed this alone?” She scrutinized me with her eyes.
“Yes, my lady”
“And you did it all through the night?” She asked. Again, I responded positively.
A smirk appeared on her face. “Good. The next time, you should know your place”
“Don't think you can act like you belong here as something other than a maid just because your mother is Luna” she said with a frown on her face.
“Understood, ma'am” I said, keeping my head lowered.
“Now, leave” she ordered.
“I'll take my leave now, my lady” I bowed deeply and walked out of her room, heading back to mine.
Breakfast in less than thirty minutes. I hadn't forgotten about the breakfast invite I got from the alpha.
It wouldn't be nice to get there late if I don't want to be seen and pictured as rude.
I quickly moved into the maids quarters and most of the maids had their eyes on me as they did what they were best at, gossiping.
“She survived the night. Let's see what Seraphina has in stock for her next” someone said.
I ignored all of them and walked into my room. Within a few minutes, I headed back outside to take a bath and when I was done, I managed to get dressed in a new work dress in a few minutes.
I moved out of the room and headed to the grand hall where breakfast would be served.
When I got to the gates and was about to enter, I heard a voice behind me and it made me halt.
“What are you doing here without trays of food in your hand?” Seraphina asked.
I turned my gaze to the back and saw that she wasn't alone.
Behind her were the two lords who I had been seeing so frequently in just a day.
Lord Kael, the one who saved me from drowning last night.
And lord Elias, the one who helped me avoid Seraphina's wrath.