The Rose That Never Withered (Wattys 2017)

‡Chapter 9 - That Little Weasel ‡

"You are a mystery to me, yet so familiar. Like a song I've never heard before, and a tune I've known my entire life" - Pavana

That moment we shared this morning was short lived. After that, Dianne gave me additional chores to make up for what I did early in the morning. I am doing one of those said chores.

I was currently feeding the blooming horses!

In my opinion, this kind of things shouldn't even be done by a lady. I sighed.

But a punishment is a punishment. Besides, this wasn't the first time it happened. There was this one time with her coffee, I accidentally replaced sugar with salt and she spurted it out upon drinking. Some of it even managed to come out of her nose. You'll see, by nighttime, she won't even remember what happened that morning.

I heard footsteps on the nearby pen coming closer towards me. I whipped my face in that direction and found him.

"What brings you to my humble abode, Master Regan?" I asked mockingly. I was feeling brave today! I didn't stop feeding the horses, I continued to throw the feeds unto the feed-through, the stench invading my nostrils. My face scrunched slightly.

"Shouldn't a man be doing this kind of work?" he asked causally, trying to start a conversation "Perhaps I could be of assistance?"

I told you. Ladies shouldn't even be bothered with such.

He went to grab the bucket from my hands without consent. I pulled it away from him.

"No need my lord. For you see, this serves as my punishment as well"

"If you insist." He looked around quite awkwardly, and later scratched his head."I don't mean to intrude but, a punishment for what?" he asked, breaking the silence.

I sighed before answering "For jumping on Dianne."

He chuckled. "And who is this Dianne that you have jumped on?"

"The head house-keeper" I replied monotonously.

He laughed. "A lady indeed" he mumbled while he continued to laugh even more.

I frowned "I believe this is no laughing manner my lord." I said forcefully "So, if you'll excuse me, I have to finish all my other extra errands." I turned to leave, gripping tightly the emptied bucket in my hand. I held my face up high and didn't bother to bow in respect. I have never been this humiliated in my entire life!

"Wait I- I did not mean to offend" he grabbed my hand. "I don't even know your name"

My back was still to him as he was still grabbing my left wrist, my right hand holding the bucket. "Surely my lord, you know that this situation cannot lead anywhere?" I asked seriously.

He chuckled again. "I'm asking for your name, not your hand in marriage." he forcefully let go of my hand earning a gasp from me. Why this little-

My face heated up. He was right, more than I care to admit. How could I assume such nonsense? That notion was embarrassing in itself. What was I even implying?

"Now, your name?"

"I am Elizabeth, my lord" I shyly replied. My face was still tinted red.

"Hello Elizabeth" he took my hand to kiss.

I smiled.

That was the hand I used to feed the chickens. He didn't seem to notice though. Even if he did, he wasn't showing it.

"Call me Eli, if you please, my lord." this was more than civilized on my behalf.

"Eli." He tried it with his tongue. He was obviously amused with the sound of it. "I still prefer Elizabeth. It is much more feminine, don't you think?" he gripped his chin as if in thought "Eli sounds like a little boy's name." he finally said after a little contemplation.

I frowned.

"Come on Eli, I'm only teasing." He smiled. It formed two small dimples on either side of his face.

He looked like an angel and it was troubling me. I haven't seen one, but I suppose that's how they would look like if I ever did. It troubles me that I keep falling for noble bloods. There's just something about Regan that I cannot explain. It was different with Master Julianne, that's for sure.

Maybe it was just irritation.

"How would you like to be my friend Eli?" he said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I pretended to think about it, but my answer was already made up the moment he wore that smile.

"Why wouldn't I want to be friends with such a noble man like you, Master Regan?" sarcasm was dripping from my words but it seemed like he paid it no mind. I bowed. "Of course, Master Regan" I said with a sigh, anything to make him go away.

"It is now my turn to tell you to call me Regan." I was about to object, putting my pointing finger up to argue.

"No. I command you to call me Regan. Just Regan. No master, no lord, no nothing. Nothing more, nothing less"

"Yes, of course Regan." I tried it. It strangely sounded nice.

"Splendid." He tapped my shoulder as a friendly gesture. "I suppose you have other chores to attend to? I shall leave you to your demise then. Goodbye little Eli" And he left, laughing as he did so.

Why that little weasel-

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