Charlotte opened the door slowly not wanting to wake her granny who could be fast asleep. She had used the backdoor which led straight into the kitchen. Too focused on not disturbing, she could not hear the sound of the churning stick rapidly being spiralled by Maisy to extract butter.
"You are back" Maisy said smiling, Charlotte almost shrieked in surprise. Her grandmother wasn't fast asleep as she thought.She stood upright and cleared her throat ;
"Granny... good morning" Charlotte greeted strolling to Maisy who inhaled, Charlotte always smelled of medicine. She pecked Maisy bringing a broad happy smile on the old woman's face. "Charlotte" she called "hi" muttered Charlotte reluctantly, she had told granny to sleep, but it seemed like the woman is even more stubborn than 'she' is. Granny sold butter to the locals, it was her business and she always claimed Charlotte carrying all the burden will kill her faster than the stress from churning butter . Her gaze fell on Charlotte's finger, it was wrapped with a cloth, which looked like a strip from Charlotte's own dress. She shook her head in pity then heaved.
"Scorpion sting?" She asked in a mutter looking up at Charlotte who chuckled before replying; "yes. Mr Willow stung me when I tried feeding him..." "Mr Willow?" Maisy muttered amused. Charlotte nodded, she understood her granny's act. "He has a name granny...is his name sour?" She asked Maisy who moped "no, but no one names scorpions. And Mr Willow??... isn't that sire Adams surname?" Maisy asked in return. Charlotte shrugged 'why us it such a big deal? '
"Yes...so what...he isn't the only one bearing that name" Charlotte replied. Maisy nodded then asked; "besides... 'Mr'... how do you know it's male?" She raised her brows , but Charlotte could not be intimidated, she pulled a stool and sat next to Maisy
"I just know..."
"Mmm-hmm" hummed Maisy in disbelief
"Come on granny, I've been with these things for long" said Charlotte with enthusiasm, but Maisy wasn't buying it. Her granddaughter was crazy. She stared at the lad in pity, the poor child was trying all her best.
"I baked us some bread. It is still in the oven...let me finish churning the butter, we'll eat it together."Maisy said assuringly, she was sure Charlotte was hungry. Charlotte nodded then took the stick out of Maisy's hands. "Rest..." She said Maisy furrowed her brows, she nodded "I've got this granny... you'll be all slow and I am starving" she ended picking the churn. Maisy knew Charlotte just wanted to help, but she went along "you lack patience-you" she said jeering Charlotte who chuckled " I know right" she said scoffing. Maisy watched her for a while before remembering why Charlotte had left to Garrigill so early.
"How is the girl?, Nora right?" She asked. Charlotte moped amiss she treated a little girl, but didn't bother to inquire her name, but with common sense; it was obviously the 'Nora'. The butter was finished in what was left just almost clear liquid. A small pail of water sat on the floor, Charlotte washed her hands and transferred the butter into a pail with a lid. She covered it and stood up. Maisy watched Charlotte's movement closely, she was fine and had heard her, why was she silent?. 'the lad doesn't like it when she loses a patient. She turns into a mucky figure. Did something go wrong?' . Maisy decided to ask and not to be lost in inconclusive wonderings.
"Do you think she will be fine?"
Charlotte nodded "yes, just a cold...I bought her some tea..." "Ohh... that is kind..." "With her mother's money of course" Charlotte cut in quickly chuckling. Maisy shook her head "and they still paid you ?" She asked Charlotte nodded making Maisy pop her forehead. "For a cold?, You made them pay for a cold??" Maisy asked in surprise. Charlotte furrowed her brows, why did granny act so shocked?.
"Why not?.Look granny, I need to tell you something; no one... and I mean no one, cares for us, so why care?. We starve, they flourish in the goodness of good food." Charlotte replied shrugging. Maisy tilted her head backwards "really?" She asked Charlotte who nodded
"So every chance I get; I will drain them. They paid a hundred pence..." She flicked a coin, tossed it and caught it "ignorance is sin" she said chuckling.
"That is stealing" Maisy said Charlotte furrowed her brows in disagreement "no certainly not granny, I rendered a service...and they paid me. Now I can change the curtains." She ended with a smirk. "Greed is an evil spirit" Maisy said warningly. Charlotte had a good laugh "haven't you heard granny?" She asked, Maisy took her serious "what?" She asked in ignorance. Charlotte leaned in and whispered in her ear; "I am the devil" Maisy wasn't surprised Charlotte was like that. "Oh Charlotte..." Charlotte laughed leaving. She muttered to herself as she left but it was loud enough for Maisy to hear;
"Bread, lettuce, tomatoes, and eggs...oohh...a blissful sandwich" she said dreamingly as she walked inside
"Eggs?, you'll have to go to the market then..."
"No!..." Called Charlotte "...I took some from their house!...I didn't steal...I asked their servant girl politely..." "Where is it then?" Maisy asked cutting her off
"Err... it's at the front door... I'm going to... I'm going to get it..." Charlotte spluttered
"Oh dear..." Muttered Maisy.
CHARLOTTE'S POV
Ignorance is sin indeed. When the villagers cannot afford a doctor or they can not call on a doctor who is always too busy, I am called upon... the foolish demon possessed girl. Brainless people. They invite me if they think the doctor is faraway as well. So, once or twice, I've been to the capital, and even visited a manor. I am usually lucky to have wealthy customers, for example; palace dogs. Like sire Gilbert, a man whose business has prospered because the duke uses him to launder. A whole lot of business men in this region are palace dogs. They paid ministers, barons, and the patriarchs steal and hide money. Some serve as hands that stir up causes which results in a loquacious bill answered to, and the official gains a huge chunk of the national cake.
Once there was an illegal mining of lead in Alston Moore, the workers fell ill due to the dust in circulation. Not wanting to inform a regular registered doctor who will the king's ears, and will then ask for a huge bribe, our bad old patriarch lord Lincoln turned to me... the possessed girl he hated so much. And I'm the thief??? (Shaking my head).
King Pierre looked around his court, then heaved. They needed him to say everything before it happens...or so they made it look. Even things that could hurt him. He knew within the walls of his court laid the pungent odour of hatred, envy and covetous wolves lying to be loyal house dogs...who did all they could, and even more behind his back. What were they planning now?, that they needed him to give them a go-ahead??. A go-ahead that could ruin him?
"Well, Luther...do as you please" He said to Luther the prime minister. Luther stood up wearing a face full of self awareness and mischief.
"Your say is forever sovereign, your highness. I am not worthy..."
" 'do as you please' is my say prime minister" Pierre said widening his eyes. What did they want from him??
"It is important that we hear from you, your highness" Armstrong the finance minister muttered. Pierre nodded; yes...they had him. Deep down, he knew he was only a pawn, to say 'yes' or 'no'. These men actually ruled the kingdom. But his princes didn't favour these men, especially Reginald; the crown prince. These men want him dead or out, and they would place someone easier to bend... really?? , all of these princes are stubborn and would not want a hand as their spine. They wanted Reginald to leave the capital where he was shielded and we'll known into the unsafe, local, and ignorant villages. It is an important culture. Anyone who wants to rule has to know his kingdom deep into it's roots, and not just by reading about it,but by seeing and feeling it too so as to know what the subjects face and how solve their problems.
"Yes..." Muttered Pierre. He continued
"Reginald will... prince Reg... the crown prince will tour his kingdom." He sputtered forcefully knowing he had soothed their burning sore throats.
Ky the security and war minister stood up "I shall provide his highness adequate protection" he said assuringly. The men sulked, Ky was just a busybody.
"Well..." Baron Edgar began, he cleared his throat noisily showing Ky disapproval. He continued "...I think his highness will be safer disguised as a commoner, in order to prevent attention which will reduce the risk of an assassination. Many guards and escorts will breach that." He ended plastering a smile, Ky frowned and shot him an irritated glance. Not minding him, Edgar went on; "your say is sovereign your highness." He sat down glancing at his seated colleagues who smiled content.
It was a good idea to Pierre who was too concerned with Reginald's safety he couldn't realize what was at play.
"That is a good idea baron...I don't think it is all necessary, security minister" Pierre said.
"And I will..." Patriarch Lincoln smiled continuing with his speaking "...as well as my fellow patriarchs will ensure our districts are safe, and comfortable for his highness." He ended.
"And that made you weary?" Reginald asked narrowing his gaze. Pierre tutted, it was no trivial matter, why was Reginald so unconcerned?.
"Come on, your highness...I will be safe...you certainly do not trust your court. If you do not, I suggest you change them" Reginald said raising an eyebrow. Pierre shook his head
"Be safe"
Reginald nodded "I will be...I know you have your fears, but... besides, I am not your only son, you have over seven more..."
"God forbid" Pierre cut off quickly. Reginald scoffed "why?, do you think your other sons do not desire the throne?" Reginald asked. Pierre nodded "yes, but you have been chosen, you cannot die..." "I will not".