The Castle's Cleaning Lady - Twisted Wonderland Reader insert

Chapter 22: Single mother gets her nails done

Following the tedious day of baking Ace's pitiful apology present for Riddle, [Name] gestured to Ace, Deuce, and Grim to go ahead to the dorm as she would meet them later for the mock sleepover.

In spite of her tiredness and fatigue, [Name] still had lots of work to accomplish, upholding her duties as the Castles cleaning lady for the school, even if it was only for two hours. She couldn't complain, she was paid well and Sam had offered her 20% of all produce in his store for routinely sweeping the pavement outside his store, and upkeeping the general vicinity.

After a gruelling 2 hours that seemed to drag on, she was finally done. Arching her back with a crack of her spine, she waved the walking brooms with buckets farewell as she left her shift. They were currently on a break, playing board games and poker in the cleaning cupboard as they usually did. They gleefully waved back with their comically large white-gloved hands before returning back to their game of checkers. They were always helpful and friendly, considering they were objects that couldn't speak.

On the way to Ramshackle, she dragged her feet behind her like a weight was shackled to her ankles. It really had been a long first few days for her and many long days to come. She could feel the crow feet claw at her eyes mockingly.

"At least I'm kept busy so I won't grovel in my own self-pity..." She muttered idly to herself.

"Mademoiselle, how disparaging! Do you not have any self-confidence or dignité?" A voice called out from behind her and [Name] seized up, an unholy noise of surprise jumping out her throat like a frog in boiling water. She whipped around and stared, wide-eyed and gobsmacked.

"AHYAH... Sorry, you surprised me! Uh..." She trailed on thought to put a name to the face. But obviously, she had never met this person before - the 3rd year with blonde hair styled in a bob cut and green emerald eyes. His outfit honestly was stunning, a purple, kimono-Esque robe over his uniform, black gloves, and a stylish purple hat with red trim and a sleek black feather. The golden engravings and embroidery etched into his robe displayed the Pomefiore logo - the one thing [Name] recognized in his outfit.

"How rude of me to not formally introduce myself! I'm Rook Hunt. 3rd-year student, Vice President to Pomefiore, a skilled huntsman, and a connoisseur of all things beautiful." He introduced himself with a regal bow and an offputting smile, intentional or not. It left [Name] stupefied and confused the fuck out. His smile was a leer, something sinister plotting behind his visage, something grim and coy behind smooth, nurtured skin.

"Well, I'm-"

"Mademoiselle [Name], you may not know me but I know very well of you." Rook said smoothly, voice deep and profound. "You've made a name around this school, a frightened deer in headlights and doused in unfit clothing, but with a fierce, undeterred hand you tamed the beast known as Grim. Inspiring, really. Your appearance at the ceremony made history books. How could I not know? I'm glad to finally meet her, la Reine des ratons laveurs. You are as beautiful as expected."

Rook took her hand into his gloved palm, pressing a peck onto her knuckles as he suddenly dropped to one knee, a coy smile curling his lips. [Name] furrowed her brow, slipping her hand away from his grasp and instinctively rubbing it against her skirt where he'd kissed.

"Right... Thanks... I guess," She uttered hesitantly before ushering the conversation along. This guy was weird. "Well, it was a pleasure Mr Hunt but I really must get going..."

"Ah! But I have yet to introduce you to Monsieur Crabapple, and much like yourself au contraire, he's just as elegant and poised. The world is brimming with beauty, it's wonderful indeed. And drop the formalities, they are simply unneeded, Rook would suffice."