The Life of a Twin

Chapter 1

(Chelsie)

Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up when I'm talking to you!

I rocked back and forth as I listened to the song, braiding my hair from the right side of my head to my left shoulder. My hair was so long that it finished at my waist. My brown roots were starting to show again, but I doubted that I would be able to bleach them any time soon.

"Chelsie?" I froze, stopping the song and pulling on my blue and green top before heading to the door. I opened it and looked up at the other servant. He smiled at me before speaking. "Your young master has requested your presence in the garden."

I nodded, stepping out into the hallway. I had yet to actually meet my new master, since he rarely requested me. I had seen him during the meals, of course, since I learned of every young master and mistress of the estate. We had been assigned to room together, that being his room originally and the only place I could stay. He always left before I woke up in the morning and came in after I was asleep at night.

He was kind enough to allow me to wear what I wanted, so I dressed in pants and nice shirts. I guessed from his generosity that he would be a kind master. I believed I could deal with being his personal maid, unlike my last master.

As I walked down the hallway, I saw a young boy wave at me. His name was James. He was the first boy to look at me when I entered the dining hall on my first day, two years ago. He was a very smart and shy boy, always seen with some sort of book in his hand. We would talk whenever I wasn't working. I smiled and stopped for a moment as he waved me over.

"Are you busy?" he asked, smiling down at me.

"I'm afraid so, Master James. I have been requested by Master Carson," I replied respectfully. He nodded with a disappointed smile.

"Okay, I'll be in the same place as always when you finish." I nodded and bowed once before continuing on my way.

I searched for Carson when I reached the garden, but I didn't see him. Deciding to wait there, I went over to my favourite section: the white roses. When I wasn't working or talking to James, I would come and help the gardener with this section. We found a struggling rosebush, and with our help, it was blooming beautifully in less than two weeks.

I knelt down next to that same bush, carefully feeling the delicate petals of a new bloom. The rose was beautiful, and it always brought back memories of the few good times I had at Jolennto's estate. I used to hide in the garden since he hated flowers. He was especially allergic to white roses.

"So you like roses." The voice pulled me from my thoughts of the past, bringing me back to the present.

"As do you," I replied to the voice. I stood and turned to face him, bowing before looking just below his eyes, a sign of respect I learned under my last master.

"Ah, you noticed." I had observed Carson in case he decided to request something he liked. I didn't want to be unprepared. I smiled and nodded. I prided myself in my observant eye.

"Chelsie, look at me." My smile faltered momentarily as I wondered if he was testing me.

"It is disrespectful to look one's master in the eye, Master Carson."

"It is also disrespectful to disobey one's master," he stated. I held a small breath as I look up to his eyes, awaiting a punishment as I did in the past. I nearly gasped at the emerald green colour of his eyes, the exact same colour as mine. The only reason he might not have noticed is because I was currently wearing light brown contacts.

"Might I ask why you have requested me, Young Master?" I asked once I regained my composure.

"I simply wanted to speak with you," he replied. I had sworn to remain honest under him in agreement that I could do what I wished in the times he did not request me.

"Yes, Young Master."

"Call me Carson. No formalities or respectful titles." I nodded once, taking note of his changes. Might I ask what you did before you began working here?"

I felt myself grow wary of his question, but I was one to keep my word.

"Where would you like me to start?"