Chapter 3 ALLIANCE

NARRATIVE POINT OF VIEW

Agatha frantically took the case which contains a spare dress, good thing she brought one out of impulse. She closed the door of the carriage; she struggled to lift the heavy suitcase but that’s a price she has to pay. She held an umbrella on her other hand since the rain hasn’t stopped and it made matters worse. “Sorry Casper” she murmured to the white horse that brought them there. She felt bad but there’s really nothing she can do about it, the roofed parking was occupied by the grand carriages of other nobles, they even had their own chauffer hanging inside, good thing Agatha was taught to chariot, or else another Castledow slave would be out here freezing. She slowly made her way across the yard, entering through the back door where the other servants are currently cleaning.

“Oh, do you need help?” asked a man in a chef suit, she smiled and shook her head lightly. “It’s okay…” she replied shyly in which he found amusing. He extended his hand and took the case from her gently. “It’s fine, she’s in the guest room on the left wing, you might get lost on your way there so follow me” he said.

Agatha smiled, “thank you…”

They made their way back the hall, she noticed that the guests are not in the dining hall anymore “They’re in the Mead Hall to discuss business privately, you know, without the presence of us peasants” he chuckled. Agatha awkwardly laughed along with him, she was too distracted as she was reminded of his icy touch, She cannot forget the weird sensation in her stomach she felt earlier, it's a feeling she never felt before.

“What’s your name?” the man asked, “I’m Corden by the way”

“Agatha, my name is Agatha” she replied as they made their way up the lavish stairs. “here we are Agatha, I’ll be heading downstairs now, I have to prepare for our departure” they stopped in front of a golden door by the end of the hallway.

“departure?” Agatha asked curiously. Usually, the chefs stay at the manor so it made sense that she’s baffled by him announcing his preparation for departure. “Where are you going?”

Corden shrugged “home, Viscount Claude rented us for a week prior to this gathering, and we’ll be departing later” he said with a smile but it quickly faded and changed to a squint “but you know what, it’s kind of weird…” his words slowly faded as he placed his index finger on his chin.

“I agree...”

“He hired 30 people to prepare for this banquet, all ranging from chefs, cleaners and servants, some even posing as guards”

“what does that mean?”

Cordon placed the suitcase gently on the carpeted floor, he leaned closer and whispered. “I think he lives alone, shhhh…”

Agatha raised her brow, she stepped back with a doubtful expression. What he said does not make any sense, Viscount Claude is a man known for his wealth, having no servants means that his life would be in constant peril.

“nice jest” she said with half a smile, he shrugged once more “I’ll be heading downstairs then, seems like you can't believe it either haha” he enthusiastically replied as he began to walk away.

Agatha stepped closer to the door, she took a deep breath before knocking. Not knowing what to expect, her eyes widened. She met his eyes again once it opened, that deep eyes that speaks volume. She flinched upon seeing his cold expression, a rush of electricity ran through her body and her obvious heed showed.

Viscount Claude faced her with evident annoyance, he blew past her not minding what she has to show. Agatha swallowed the lump forming in her throat 'what ethereal beauty' she thought before snapping into reality as she saw her, Lady Irene had furious eyes, she quickly picked up on what Agatha’s thinking.

Agatha rushed inside, closing the door, she faced her and apologized once more. She didn’t pay no mind, she rolled her eyes and told her to get it over with.

“I think establishing a partnership for the construction of the port would be outright irrelevant, We can vouch for cheaper options!” Lord Baron exclaimed, convincing the young nobles to take his side.Viscount Claude chuckled, and it caught everyone’s attention. They gazed at him in surprise, he bit his lips chugged bourbon and stood up.

“I don’t think you understand, Lord Baron…” he said as he walks across the room and into the elevated platform. He stood high and mighty before them, they all sat in a row of bergere seat, waiting for his words.

“a partnership would be the only way to gain public trust. The people have been expressing their distaste towards us these past few years with the rise of taxation caused by your political agendas. Sparing a few thousand dollars for public use will certainly help each and everyone of your families, don’t you think so Lord Baron?”

The man in question remained silent, looking away as if he’s thinking really hard about it. “Earning the public trust…” he blurted out of nowhere. Clenching his teeth, he finally came to a conclusion. As a young man with plans of running as a future governor, pleasing the lowborn of Irvine is a crucial step towards his greedy success. “I suppose you're right” at last, he was convinced. Turning away from his selfish ideologies, he’d be sparing a substantial amount of money for public use. Everyone in the room clapped, “perhaps we could act considerate for once eh?” Lord Caius mentioned out loud, making everyone nod in agreement.

Viscount Claude smiled, he stepped closer and offered him a hug. Lord Baron accepted it warmly, not knowing that the man had a hideous smile, a murderous intent and a treacherous plan.

Agatha hummed to herself, fumbling and brushing the thoughts of the Viscount off her mind. She sat alone in the peasant’s quarter of the mansion with the other servants brought by the visiting nobles. They were talking loudly, gossiping about the people they work for, but she isolated herself a table away from them. She’s simply not interested. All she could think about was him.

“You seem to be lost in thought” Corden appeared out of nowhere, sitting beside her with a warm smile.

“Oh, I thought your preparing for your departure?” Agatha joked casually bringing up the matter they’ve talked about earlier.

“It’s done, we’ll depart shortly when you all do, I feel bad for leaving him alone but maybe that’s just his thing” he replied monotony, expressing the fact that he’s not kidding on any sort.

“Wait… are you being serious? surely there’s people that will be left right? I mean, guards and servants…how can he live without those if he’s a noble?”

“I have the same question, it baffles me but maybe he don’t trust anyone” he mindlessly commented. Agatha couldn’t help but to be more amazed knowing that he’s independent. She still doesn’t fully believe it but it sure does intrigue her. They talked for a while and by the time they’re done, one of the supposed hired servants came announcing that their meeting is done and the nobles will be departing shortly.

Agatha stood up along with the other servants, she headed outside and began preparing the carriage, good thing the rain had stopped, but it will definitely be a stormy dawn seeing the greyish clouds enveloping the horizon, there are occasional thunders coming from afar and it made her worry.

She waited by the porch along with the other servants, they stood in a line with their heads held down as the riches began to prep themselves for their journey. They bid goodbye to each other with laughter, new schemes and public junction. They then began to head out the dark abyss of the night. But one servant remained standing there, clueless as to why her master still hasn’t come out. It was Agatha, baffled by the events.

“Are you Lady Irene’s servant?” a man in a red suit appeared through the hall. She nodded her head “y-yes”

“She’ll be spending the night here, I advise you to sleep in the dungeon below. Follow me” he said with a straight face. She gaped, surprised by that news. Why would she choose to spend the night here? Lord Castledow clearly stated that they need to be home before midnight, he will not like this.

Agatha brushed it off, maybe there’s some sort of covenant between her and the Viscount. Agatha tailed the man, quietly thinking about the relationship between her master and the Viscount, as far as she knows this is their first formal encounter, and it seemed like they’re already fond of each other.

'must be nice to be born rich' she thought, looking at her worn out dress, it was grey, a very dull color and it lacked design to make it not stand out. She held her face, it was smooth but pale as a paper. She’s not allowed to wear cosmetics since it’s a sign of nobility.

They went downstairs and was greeted by an old alley, it was vastly different from the interior upstairs. The walls were made of bricks and the lights were dimly lit. From where she’s standing, she can see two doors. One from afar situated at the end of the hall and the other one is in front of them, just by the stairs. “This is the room, here’s the key. Sleep soundly” the man said. Agatha bid her gratitude but the man still hasn’t left, he had this doubtful look on his face.

“is there a problem sir?” she asked.

He sighed "make sure you lock the door and do not ever go outside. You understand?” he said in a stern voice before asking. "What's your name?"

Agatha raised her brow in confusion. Why would he ask such question. Judging by what he's wearing, he's also a servant. She stared at his face but the dim lights isn't helping. "Agatha, w-why do you ask?" She has to admit that what he said creeped her out.

"Are you perhaps... nevermind" he said upon turning around and walking away. She stared at his back, tilting her head in confusion but she brushed it off eventually.

She opened the wooden door and her lips formed a straight line, “this is definitely a dungeon” she thought as she scans the tattered room with one single bed and a rod erected in the middle. She went inside, closed the door and locked it. The lights flickered, but thankfully there’s a lamp so she decided to light it and use that instead.

She paced around the room, there are no windows and it’s just a wide room with no other furniture except a table, the bed and this weird rod sticking in the middle with a pair of shackles. She stepped closer to that and noticed a faint sign on the shackle.

“Vatcherun?” she worded as she read the sign, “that sounds familiar” she thought.