Changing Destinies

Chapter 37

Mansy meets someone new. Jason Lannister gets punished. I hope you guys like it 🥰 I won't be able to post until Friday.

Mansy had been running around all day, several of the lords and their families had arrived that day for the coming festivities and she had been helping some of the other maids. She had already readied several of the chambers that would be used by the nobles and now she was heading to the kitchen to get some of the wine, juice, and fresh fruits to place in the chambers. Princess Helaena had told her to take a few hours for herself, but Mansy had felt guilty about taking time off while the other maids and servants worked to make sure everything was ready.

She was turning a corner when she almost slammed into another woman, coming to a stop at the last minute and bowing her head. "I am sorry, my lady. I did not see you."

"Oh, it is fine, I..." Silence followed and Mansy raised her head, looking at the woman in front of her with curiosity. The woman had red hair and green eyes, just like her and there was something familiar, but she could not put her finger on it. The woman in front of her looked almost horrified. "Who are you?"

"My name is Mansy, my lady." She was not sure why the woman looked so shocked. "I am Princess Helaena's lady's maid."

"That is not what I meant." The woman took hold of her elbow and moved her to the side. "Who are your parents? Where do you come from?"

"I come from Flea Bottom, my lady." The woman was scaring her a little and Mansy was not sure why she was so upset with her. "I am sorry, have I done something to offend you?"

The woman did not appear to have heard her. "Who is your mother? What is her name?"

"Her name is Brise," The woman's eyes widened and she became deadly pale, letting her go and stumbling back. "My lady, I think you should sit down. You do not look well."

Mansy helped the woman to one of the benches and waited until she was sitting. She turned to leave, but the woman grabbed her arm. "No! Stay."

Mansy turned back to her and gave her a concerned look. "I am just going to get you some water."

"No, I am fine." The woman took several deep breaths and Mansy could tell she was trying to calm herself down. It took a few minutes and she was relieved when she saw the color returned to her face. "My name is Jessamyn Redford."

"I am happy to make your acquaintance, lady Jessamyn."

"I am as well." Jessamyn cleared her throat and gave her a curious look. "Does your mother also work here?"

"No, she is in charge of the shelter Princess Rhaenyra built." Mansy was proud of her mother's accomplishments. "She lives there also."

"I would love to see the shelter." Lady Jessamyn wiped her hands on her gown before standing up. "I would appreciate it if you could take me there next time you visit."
Mansy nodded, not knowing what else to do. "Of course."

Mansy stood there and watched Jessamyn leave, not really understanding what had happened or why the other woman had reacted the way she had. She was sure she had never seen the woman before, but there was something familiar about her. Mansy just shook her head and finished what she was doing.

Once she was done she returned to the princess's chambers, wanting to make sure she did not need anything. She found the girl sitting near the bed, looking at something on her arm. Mansy gasped when she saw Helaena's arm and moved quickly.

"Princess, what happened?" She took Helaena's arm gently and flinched at the bruises she saw on her upper arm. She had seen those types of bruises many times before on her mother and herself, they were done when her father had held them too tightly. "Who did this?"