Failing Grace

Pleasantly Dark Evening

Nine

Fussing. When someone fusses it means that they are foolishly worrying over even the simplest things and constantly zooming about like an annoying gnat. At least that was what Sorina had said about Elena when the head maid had all but burst into the kitchen three hours before dinner to take Nine to get ready.

The cook kept arguing but Elena seemed unbothered by her harsh words. The woman had made her way to where Nine stood with plates, took said plates from her hands, and gave them to Camelia, who snickered, before taking Nine's wrist and making her way out of the kitchen. Sorina was still calling after them but Elena ignored her. Despite knowing the cook would surely be angry next time Nine saw her she did not think disobeying Elena would be something she should do. Though it was difficult to weigh the consequences of disobeying either one.

Nine followed after the head maid quietly and without pulling her hand from the woman's grasp, light as it was. Elena was muttering under her breath, something about the bath and the soaps and salts. There was also something about nails, though she could not quite understand what about the nails. She simply followed her wordlessly until she heard the agitated heartbeat coming from down the hall.

"Someone's coming."

"What? Who?" Elena stopped leading her and turned to face her. "How do you-"

"Miss Elena!" A maid shouted.

Elena turned towards the shouting maid and frowned before releasing Nine's wrist. "Lower your voice. And stop running in the halls. You should know better."

"Sorry."

"Now, what is it?"

"Cecil. She-she went and tried to fix the window by the east corridor b-but-"

"It's stuck open again." Elena was now fuming instead of fussing as Sorina had said. "How many times have I told you lot not to touch that blasted window? I've taught you so many times how to deal with it but no. You are all too incompetent."

"I-I'm sorry." The maid fidgeted with her apron and looked down.

"Nine, dear, go on to your chambers and start the bath. I'll be with you soon." Elena said then started to walk towards the hallway the other maid had come from with said maid trailing behind. "Don't dawdle, Nine. We don't have much time."

"Yes, Miss Elena."

***

Nine watched them go a while longer before heading to her chambers. She knew the way by heart. Long hallway and the portrait and then another hall before getting to the stairs. These halls were beginning to feel like home. More so than the lab she had forcefully left behind.

The castle walls seemed a bit livelier today and she knew why. Unlike the previous couple of days all inhabitants of the castle were present. That is, the lady was home. Daniela had told her about her big sleepover at her mother's. She had already known about it but for some reason she felt strange acknowledging it at least until the redhead mentioned it.

Sleep had been quite elusive for her the night before so when the fluttering of tiny wings reached her ears she had hoped someone would come to keep her company or at least give her something to do. However, her hope was snuffed out when she heard a door further down the hall open and the warm voice of the lady welcoming her daughter to the chambers. Briefly, Nine felt a tugging in her chest, not exactly to go anywhere but more as if something was taken making her feel a bit empty. The feeling was not one she understood at all but when she heard humming in the distance that emptiness went away. She really couldn't quite understand what it all meant but she was glad that a few minutes after she had slipped into sleep's warm embrace.