CHAPTER 31

He bided Mika goodbye and returned to his room. When he arrived a number of maids had already been dispatched to his chambers. Everything had been prepared and it felt much warmer. "Can I have a piece of paper and ink?" he asked one of the maids who disappeared immediately and returned moments later with the items. He set the table and with the maid grinding the ink for him he wrote a letter to his parents informing them to not worry and that he was in good hands; once he was done, he would return to the capital. He sealed the letter and wondered what to do next. "Can you call Lady Nora for me?" he asked one of the maids. He watched as the maid left and returned later with Nora. The maids excused themselves and left the two of them alone. "Why did you ask for me?" she asked. "I want to send a letter to my parents but since I'm new here I have no idea what to do," he told her. "Give it to me and I will have a messenger ride straight away," Nora said. "Thank you. I believe my stay here will not be based as I thought," he said handing over the letter to her. "As long as you don't piss her off then you will be totally okay," she said as she received the letter. "I was wondering if it's possible for me to done with you tonight?" "I'm afraid that it is not. I will send someone with a booklet. You have to read everything and comply with it if you will be staying here," she said looking at him. "If doing that will make me stay and be with you then I will do it," he meant it. "Good. Whatever you need just tell the maids and they will assist you." "I forgot after everything that happened today. Can you send those gifts to your mistress? I'm afraid I can't face her again today," he said and Nora laughed. "You will get used to her with time. I will have them sent to her, don't worry. Have an early rest, I believe you will have a busy day tomorrow," she said and began to leave. He watched as she instructed the maids to carry the gifts he had forgotten to give when he came in the morning. After carrying everything he watched as Nora left and he was lonely again. He was going to stay at least after the wedding ceremony. He was going to use that time to get to know Nora and familiarize with the place most people even he was scared of. He later received the booklet after supper that Nora had promised him. It was full of detailed rules and regulations no wonder why Nora herself got punished in the first place. If he wanted to get closer to Nora then he was going to familiarize with the book and make sure he abides by it or else it will be his head hanging on one of the poles. **** Nora was excited seeing how her mistress had deceived Daren on staying on the mountain. She was going to do everything in her power to make him long for her and stay. She knew she was being selfish but for the first time she wanted things to go her way and not the other way around. She woke up in the morning and prepared her mistress's bath. Her mistress always woke up early even when she had nothing to do but things were different now. She was preparing for a wedding even when she knew most of the preparations would be done by the young lord and not her. Those things were not for her at all. She went to her mistress chambers and she was still asleep. She opened the curtains covering the bed and sees her opening her eyes. "Your bath is ready," she told her and helped her out of the bed. Nora helped her put on her shoes and took her hand and led her to the bathroom. She removed her mistress robes and let her step in the tub for her bath. She instructed the maids to add more roses to the water as the mistress closed her eyes. While the other maids scrub her body, Nora was busy washing her hair. She didn't like many people washing it so one has to be careful or they will suffer dire consequences. She dried the hair and ties it nicely since she was still in the tub. She prepared the clothes that the mistress was going to be wearing while the other maids helped her out of the tub. The mistress wore her clothes and when she was done the other maids took her to the hall while she rushed to the kitchen to check up on her breakfast. The food was ready so she instructed the maids to take it to the hall where the mistress was waiting. She served the prawn porridge and some cakes for her. Because she was her maid, she had to serve her until she was done. Her mistress wasn't a huge eater. She would just take a few spoonful and she would be fine. After having her breakfast, the mistress dismissed all of them. She took her leave and began to prepare for her day. She had a lot to do and that included helping the young lord with the wedding preparations. She decided to check up on Daren to see how he was faring that morning. When she arrived, Daren was already awake and finished having his breakfast. "I didn't think you would come," he told her as he stood up. "I was serving the mistress and now I'm free," she said. "That's good. I will be leaving with Mika, oh sorry I mean Xavier in a moment. What do you want me to bring you?" he asked her and she smiled. "Whatever you want to give me, I will be happy with anything," she replied. "If you say so then I will pick the best for you. Did you give your mistress her gifts?" "I forgot. I will give them to her after I'm done here," Nora told Daren. At that moment Xavier walked in and looked at the two of them. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt but it's time we leave," he said looking at Daren. "I'm ready, we can leave now," Daren said and looked at her, "I will see you when I return. Have a nice day." She watched as the two men left the chambers. She was happy, it seemed like Daren was adapting bit by bit and it was good that he has someone he knows who can keep him company. In a place like this, it wouldn't do you any good if you were just alone. At some point you will be so lonely you wish you can leave but you won't ever have that chance to do it. Once you enter the mountain, it was hard to leave. Dying was actually much easier; it was as if one would be spell bound but for her it didn't matter. She belonged on the mountain and it was her home. Her mistress overcomes that disaster by being with a man she loves and she hoped she will too. Being with her family and Daren was all that she needed now and she hoped that her silent wish will be fulfilled no matter what. She looked around the room once more and left. She has a busy day ahead and had to start preparing for the wedding ceremony also. It was going to be a grand and happy occasion for the mountain. There hasn't been such a grand event before except for the Sacred Lady's funeral that occurred two decades ago.