Whispers In Florence

Chapter 10: A Night to Remember

Isabella POV

The party was ending, and the guests at the Castellini house began to leave. I could hear their farewells and the rustle of their fine clothes as they walked out one by one. It had been a long night, and my feet ached from serving food for hours. Even though I was tired, I couldn't stop thinking about Cardinal Francesco and the embarrassment I felt when he caught me staring at him.

Finally, the last guest left, and the grand hall became quiet. My final job for the night was to clear the plates and wash them with the other servants. I started gathering the dirty dishes, which were piled high with leftovers. What had once been a grand feast now seemed wasteful.

In the kitchen, we began washing the dishes. The sound of clinking plates and rushing water filled the room. The warm, soapy water soothed my tired hands as I scrubbed. While I was working, Pietra came over, her face showing approval.

"You did well tonight, Isabella," she said, her voice cutting through the noise.

I looked up, surprised. "Thank you, Pietra. I was really nervous."

Pietra smiled kindly. "I could tell, but you handled yourself well. It's not easy serving at a party like that."

I nodded, feeling some of the tension leave my body. "I was so worried I'd mess up. And then, when Cardinal Francesco noticed me looking at him..."

Pietra laughed softly. "Ah, I see. Don't worry, Isabella. It's natural to be curious, especially about someone like Francesco. But remember, you're here to do your job, and you did it well."

Her words made me feel better. "Thank you, Pietra. Your support means a lot to me."

"You'll find your place here, Isabella. Just keep doing your best." Pietra gave me a reassuring pat on the shoulder before getting back to her work.

With renewed energy, I finished washing the dishes alongside the other servants. Working together made the task easier, and soon the kitchen was clean.

It was nearly midnight, and the house was quiet. I headed to my small room, my body heavy with exhaustion. As I lay down, the events of the night replayed in my mind. No matter how much I tried, I couldn't stop thinking about Cardinal Francesco. His kind smile and piercing eyes stayed with me.

"Why can't I stop thinking about him?" I whispered to myself in the dark. I knew it was a distraction I couldn't afford.

As I drifted to sleep, a sense of unease settled over me.

********************************************

I woke up at 6 a.m., with the light of dawn barely shining through my small window. My body still felt tired from the night before, but there was no time to rest. I dressed quickly and splashed cold water on my face to wake myself up.

When I rushed into the kitchen, I noticed something strange. Pietra wasn't there, and only five maids were present. Three of them looked at me with unfriendly expressions as I entered.

"Good morning," I said, trying to be polite. But they didn't answer, just gave me cold stares, making me feel uneasy.

One of the maids, a sharp-looking woman named Ana, kept glaring at me with open dislike. I decided to ignore them and got to work, heading to the sink to start washing the dishes.

The tension in the room was thick. I could feel Ana's eyes on me, but I kept my focus on the task in front of me. The warm, soapy water helped calm my nerves as I scrubbed each plate.

After a while, the five maids left the kitchen, leaving me alone with the dirty dishes. I found some peace in the quiet as I continued working, the repetitive motion helping me relax.

Suddenly, I sensed someone behind me. Thinking it was Pietra, I turned around with a smile, but my smile quickly faded. It wasn't Pietra—it was Cardinal Francesco.

"Good morning, Your Eminence," I greeted him, trying to keep my eyes down.

"I saw you yesterday, serving the plates," he said in a deep, kind voice, with a hint of curiosity.

"Yes, Your Eminence," I replied, feeling my heart race.

"You did well. Was it your first time?" he asked, stepping a little closer.

"Yes, Your Eminence. It was," I answered, keeping my gaze low.

"You seemed nervous, but you handled it admirably," he said, his tone gentle.

"Thank you, Your Eminence. I was afraid I'd make a mistake," I whispered.

"It's normal to feel nervous. We all start somewhere," he said softly. "What's your name?"

"Isabella, Your Eminence," I said, daring to look up for just a moment.

"Isabella," he repeated, as though tasting the name.

As the morning light began to fill the kitchen, we heard footsteps approaching. Cardinal Francesco glanced toward the door and then back at me. "I must go now. Duty calls."

"Goodbye, Your Eminence," I said, my voice steady despite my racing heart.

He nodded and left the kitchen just as the other maids began to return. I turned back to the sink, trying to calm my breathing. His presence left a lasting impression on me.

A few moments later, Ana's sharp voice broke through my thoughts. "Isabella! Stop daydreaming and focus on your work!"

I turned to face her, my cheeks burning. "I'm not daydreaming, Ana. I was just—"

"Just what? Trying to catch the Cardinal's eye?" she sneered, her voice full of bitterness.

"That's not true," I said, feeling embarrassed and a little angry.

"Sure, it's not," Ana scoffed. "Just remember, you're a maid. Nothing more. Don't get any ideas."

"I know my place, Ana," I replied, trying to keep my voice calm. "Maybe you should focus on your work instead of mine."

Ana's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Watch yourself, Isabella. You're new here, and you don't want to make enemies."

"I don't want any trouble, Ana," I said firmly. "I just want to do my job."

"Good," she said, her voice cold. "Then keep your head down and stay out of my way."

I turned back to the sink, my hands shaking slightly as I resumed washing the dishes. The tension in the kitchen was thick, and I had a feeling that something wasn't right. Despite the hostility, Cardinal Francesco's kind words replayed in my mind, giving me a small bit of comfort amidst the unease.