The Villainess With White Roses

Chapter 4 - A Midnight Trip

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ANDRELISE

"I can't do this,"

Charlotte's voice trembles, her eyes darting anxiously from my face to the floor.

"I'm not... I don't think I'm well equipped to help you to this extent."

I stare at her for a brief moment. Her hesitation doesn't surprise me, but I don't have time for reluctance right now.

I take a deep breath, trying to ease the tension. "Charlotte, you can. You have to."

Her shoulders slump as if the very idea is too much, and I can see the fear creeping into her eyes. Not now.

I know for a fact that I can trust Charlotte. At least some extent. For the past week I've been carefully observing her and summoning her to my presence most of the time.

I have noticed that she doesn't talk much with the other maid— almost like they don't engage in conversations— as far as I can tell, she doesn't really like Hannah.

Tell me she ain't a gem.

My mind flashes back to a few hours ago, When this whole plan starts coming together.

it's early afternoon. A silent knock came through my door. "You called, My lady?" Charlotte silently steps in closing the door behind her.

"Yes. Charlotte, I need you to fetch a range of cloaks for me. Something that isn't too attention-grabbing and make sure no one knows about it." I sit up from the long armchair.

Here eyes widen, first in confusion which turned to obedience. I don't have what I need for tonight, but I know Charlotte will be able to get them.

She scurries off without a word, though I can practically see the questions swirling in her mind. She's far too curious for her own good, even with all her timidness. When she returns, her arms full of cloaks and garments, I thank her quickly.

"Thank you, Charlotte," I say, taking the cloaks from her. She stands there, still holding a couple more, her eyes full of questions she's too afraid to ask.

She doesn't say anything, but the way she looks at me—she doesn't have to. I know exactly what she's thinking. She's wondering why I'm doing this, what I'm planning. She's hesitant, but I decide right then that there's no point in keeping secrets from her.

I lay the dusigues and the cloaks across the bed. "Tonight, I'm going out. There's something I need to find out, and I can't do it if I stay here."

Charlotte's eyes widen even more, but she still doesn't say anything. Her silence is unnerving, but I press on. "I need your help, Charlotte. You're the only one I can trust with this."

Her lips part slightly, but she doesn't argue. She just stands there, clutching the remaining garments, her knuckles turning white.

"I need you to be my eyes and ears here in the house," I continue, stepping closer to her. "No one can come into my room while I'm gone—especially not Hannah. Do you understand?"

Finally, she nods. It's hesitant, and I can see the fear in her face, but she nods. "I don't know if I can, My lady," she whispers, her voice shaky.

"You're the only maid I can rely on," I tell her firmly. "You'll stay near my room, keep watch, and make sure no one notices anything strange."

Her hands are trembling slightly as she holds out the last cloak to me. I can see she's scared, unsure if she can pull this off. But I don't have time to comfort her. I need her to understand that I can't do this without her.