The autumn leaves were glistening emeralds mixed with rubies in the afternoon sun. Which was a sign, the autumn festival would soon arrive in the countryside, North Haythens. I was squatting down at the stream, washing clothes as it was a part of my duties. I was almost done with washing clothes; when servants from different houses came over and were gossiping about the latest death in the town.
"Did you hear about the bodies they found in the scarlet woods?" A blonde-haired servant was wailing about with the paddle in her hand.
"Yes, their blood was drained out from their necks. The guards are putting a night curfew up again until they find the blood-sucking ba-" The red-haired servant was stopped by the blonde haired lady with her hand over her mouth.
"You might be next if you keep spouting nonsense out in the open. Move faster and start washing your set of clothes so that we can make our way back to the dukes" The red haired maid went back to washing clothes. The blonde haired servant joined her finally with a blank, white face like she was already drained of all of her blood.
I put the washed clothes in the basket and made my way back down to the Stewards' house. The door creaked open, I placed the clothes in front of the bedroom that belongs to Mr. and Mrs. Steward. After placing the basket, I quickly ran back down the steps to avoid bumping into Mr.Steward's son. I started my daily chores, which was to cut vegetables,help make supper for the Stewards,wipe down the bookshelves in the library on the first floor and dust the day room before the Stewards guest arrived. An hour had passed, It was almost time for the stewards to come back home from their so-called work adventures they go on during the early mornings. I was not looking forward to supper, at least not tonight, since there was a night-time curfew. The stewards' adventures have been cut short,that was never a good thing for them and especially me, Scarlet.
"This damned night-time curfew! So a few lowly people died, they deserved it for going into the forest! Everyone knows not to go into the forest after dark!" Mr. Steward said while storming into the house, ripping his coat off as he threw it on the dining room floor. One of the new maids, Mint, had picked up his coat. Mint draped Mr.Steward's coat onto her arm as she walked out of the room. I noticed something different about the new maid, Mint, but before I could try and get more information on her. Mr.Steward threw down his utensils as it wasn't his personal pair. The maid who placed the silverware was kneeling in front of Mr.Stewards trembling, the maid knew the consequence of making Mr.Steward upset, it was not going to be a good night for the maids of the house. At least I thought it was until Mr.Stewards waved off the maid when he locked eyes on her. Another weird instance with the new maids. I thought to myself to keep my distance with the new maids, they could mean trouble. I quietly sighed as I straightened my body and started serving Mrs. Stewards her red wine.
Mr.Stewards settled into his chair at the dinner table. I poured the red meat stew according to the ranking of the house into each of their bowls. In order, Mr.steward, Mrs.Steward, the son and their daughter. I stood behind Mrs. Steward and Allison Steward while the Stewards sat for their meal. Tonight only Mr. Stewards sat at the table eating with the stench of alcohol emitting off his clothes. The stench of alcohol kept wafting into my nose. It was not good. I was getting sick, dizzy, and thirsty for some reason. During supper, only Mr. Steward was present at the table. The rest of his family was most likely out shopping. The Steward's came home with shopping bags of clothes, and their son was clutching a silver blade. Intriguing I thought. The Stewards sat down to supper after handing all their bags to the maids. Supper did not last long as Mr. Steward was already finished eating and now was yelling how they disrespected Mr. Steward in front of the staff. Mr. Stewards also mentioned how Mrs. Stewards is doting onto the kids too much, he also went into detail about her spending habits were not in line with a baron's fortune. Mr. Stewards stormed out into the restless night. Robert Stewart's the youngest of the two siblings and the only son of the Stewart's. He had gotten up from his chair and threw his spoon bowl on the floor and walked to his room. His sister followed suit, but instead of throwing it onto the ground, she felt it was much better to dump the half-eaten bowl over my head.
"At least now we will not have to look at your hideous hair that is as dark as death," Allison said while stepping back from the stew dripping from my head down the floor.
"You need to clean the mess you made on the floor and clean yourself up! How can I ever go anywhere if the maids start gossiping about your appearance all over town!" she said while taking the bowl and hitting me on my forehead "What is all this noise?!" Mrs. Stewards said while stomping down the steps with her gang of maids behind her, tying her robe and fixing her disheveled hair.
"Scarlet made a mess again, mother!" Allison said while wiping away fake tears, so she does not get yelled at for being too loud while their father was home, I was wiping the stew off my face with my apron. I was wiping my face, Mrs. Steward bolted towards me, slapping my face as hard as she could. I fell to the floor, holding my face., where the stinging was throbbing uncontrollably.
"How dare you show your face after I told you that the one thing you can not do is expose your hideous face!" Mrs. Steward said with a scowl.
"I am sorry, I had forgotten about the rules while being in the house" I pushed through my gritted teeth while blood was running down my forehead and dropped onto my knuckle which was clutching my dress. There was a sweet aroma coming from my knuckle, but it was my blood that was smelling sweet, so sweet. I could not understand why my throat was becoming dry, my eyes felt like they were burning and tears were pouring out of my eyes. I snapped. My head was spinning, but I could feel my body relax, and the thirst had disappeared, along with the feeling of being angrily mixed with peace. I have no clue what is going on, just that I am exhausted and would like to go to room.
I could hear footsteps rushing to the front door. Furthermore, I can understand what they were saying but for some reason, I wasn't listening to their shouts and demands only their heartbeat, their blood flowing in their body, beating.
I could not move my legs, my body was not listening to me. The thirst is coming back. What is going on with me? Did I make a mistake with Mrs. Stewards? Is that why the guards are here? My head was starting to spin again. I wonder if Mr. Stewards would give me away or have me dealt with. As I was racking my brain for any logic that could help me escape, it was no use. I could no longer use my legs or hands as I layed on the ground, just watching. As if I was poisoned.
"Madam, it appears the scent is coming from inside this dinning door. Should we start the rescue mission?" A low grumble voice escaped from his mouth.
"Yes, but make sure there is no one else is in the house. If there are things to take care of, dispose of them." This time, a woman's voice sounded out.
I was laying down on the cold floor. I could feel my clothes' clinging to my skin as if I were laying in a puddle. My eyes were getting tired. My eyes were still watering with a bit of burning sensation. A tear forms in the corner of my eye, slides out into my lip. It was sour and tart tasting. There was a loud boom at the door, footsteps stomped in unity throughout the dining room.
Before I could think about what they might do to me, a set of footsteps came to a stop in front of my face. I heard a woman say something as her finger touched my forehead, which made my eyes fall even harder than they were. After the woman picked me up, I felt peace and calm for the first time since I came to the baron residency. While I was drifting to sleep more memories started to come back, it was not at all easy trying to "see" the memories that were coming back to me. The only thing that made sense was that I could finally relax my mind and body.