The Rose That Never Withered (Wattys 2017)

‡Chapter 14 - Shades Of Julianne Vilgrain‡

"So the darkness shall be the light, and the stillness the dancing" - T.S. Eliott

The breakfast continued for several more hours composing of random questions and topics related to our day. I was simply glad for his company and as much as I have observed, he was glad for mine too.

"I'm glad to hear that you like the dresses Rosabelle. Those dresses did come from my trusted colleagues after all, so nothing expected less."

I slightly froze. I felt a sudden surge of curiosity wash over me "Colleagues, master?" I inquired. It seemed he had realized something and his eyes widened a fraction, before returning back to their calm, collected gaze. It was so fast, that if I had not been paying attention to his every move, I might have never seen it in the first place.

But I did.

"None of your concern." he quickly replied. He looked at taken back, as if appalled by the question. The china cup he was holding dropped abruptly to the table, some of its contents spilling with the motion. It contained a rather thick, dark liquid, as I have observed. A foreign tea of perhaps?

His aura had changed almost instantly and he was now wearing an unreadable expression upon his face. This side of him, if not had shocked me, had brought a shiver to run down my spine.

I wasn't used to him like this at all. He had always radiated warmth and comfort every time I came close to him, but this time, I wasn't so sure. I must confess though, I know we haven't been together for that long, making this very man in front of me more mysterious than ever.

But not any less beautiful.

Moments of awkward silence after, he had regained composure. During those short moments, I didn't dare to break the silence.

No.

I was too scared to do that. "Forgive me for scaring you Rose." he said with a small laugh.

"If you'll excuse me." he made a motion to leave, his chair backing slowly from the table as servants rush to aid his retreat. I made a motion to follow, backing my chair as well.

"Julianne I'm sorry. For my behavior, if I-"I said, rushing to catch up with him "If I offended you in any way-"

"Please stay and finish your breakfast, dear Rosabelle" turning, he threw his napkin on the dining table, making a soft thud upon impact. "I will return shortly with you after I arrange several matters."

"But Julianne-"

"You will do as you're told." he demanded. There was an air of authority in his voice, making his judgment, in my case, somehow final. Like his command held no room for questioning. His back was to me, his face hidden from view. I can say I was slightly thankful for it.

"And please, call me Julianne" and he stalked away from the scene, feet tapping on the carpeted floors of the dining area. How I managed to ruin his morning had somehow brought a slight constriction upon my chest.

A sharp stab in my heart, which is what it precisely felt like.

I was left alone at the dining table, shocked at everything that happened so fast, that it came as a blur in my head. Things escalated so fast I wasn't sure if they happened in the first place. But they did, if the ache in my chest is anything to go by.

After that moment, servants came in serving several dishes on the table. Hard to believe I was once one of those servants and now I'm not...

Trays upon trays of steaming dishes were laid out on the long dining table, momentarily numbing my senses as I take a nose-full of their aroma. They were the kind of dishes I'd dream of every night of tasting but never had the privilege to do so; the kind that was served to the upper-class people that made my mouth water every time I'd see such.