The Five Manors

Chapter 4 The Pieces Fit

Once back inside the castle, I head back to my room to get ready for breakfast. Really? We just finished a funeral and they expect us to have the appetite to eat? I had only been at the funeral for an hour so it was only about seven. I decided right then and there that I had no appetite for breakfast.

Of course when I arrive to my room and the guards hold open the doors for me to enter I see that my maids have once more prepared my bath.    

This was my last day with them, I just realized. After all these years I was leaving. I may never see them again. This thought chokes up in my throat.

I glance at my maids and make sure to stare both Agnes and Rose in the eye before speaking. "Thank you," is all I said. They gave me a small smile before I shut the bathroom door. I realized I had never said thank you enough to them. They had done so much for me over the years. Even if it had been by order of the queen, they had exceeded their duties.

I look at the warm bath in front of me and breath in the scent of eucalyptus. I didn't really feel like bathing after such a depressing ceremony but this would be my last "luxurious" bath for possibly quite a while. Making up a final decision in my head I decide to just go ahead and get in. Might as well not waste all this water. The queen certainly liked us clean didn't she? Really? Did she have to make us bath every twelve hours?

I take out all the bobbie pins in my hair so that it falls down on my shoulders. The bun had been giving me a headache with all those pins digging into my scalp.

I drift in and out of consciousness letting the warm water ease my thoughts. The water was just starting to turn cold when Agnes knocks on the bathroom door asking if I was going to come for breakfast. I tell her no. I wanted to continue to sit here and let the mind numbing smell of the candles take away any thoughts of sadness from the past few days.

The girls who hadn't passed. Catherine's death. The fact that I was never going to see Agnes or Rose again. Or how I had an important message to deliver to some guy named Vincent.
I shook my head trying to bring my thoughts to another subject. My maids were preparing my final dress for tonight's departure. I wonder what it will look like as I remember all the other beautiful dresses they had made in the past. This one would most likely be one made for a grand entrance into Manor Four.

When I finally get out of the tub and head back into my room I notice that my maids were gone. Which was fine by be. I would be able to see them one last time tonight.

What did the queen expect us to do all day? I still had six hours before I had to get ready. I suddenly get an idea. I would just go around the castle one more time. This would keep me from sulking about Catherine and I would be able to get a look of the castle one last time.
I pick out a simple peach gown and a pair of white shoes. Knowing I couldn't go wandering around the castle with my hair looking like crap I quickly blow dry it and rush a comb through it. Ha. Amazing how much I tidied myself up when my maids weren't here to do it for me.

I was stopped by a guard as soon as I stepped out the door.
"Sorry My Lady but it is not safe for you to be wandering the castle today," said the guard.

I stare at him with a look that I hope showed annoyance and disbelief. "Oh my many moons. Are we really going to go there? You mean after what happened to Catherine? I really doubt that will happen again now that security is tighter." With a roll of my eyes I take a step forward but the guard puts his hand to block me.

"I must insist my Lady. It is not to my belief that the queen would want you wandering around today either. Now please return to your room."

"No," I said and try to push the guards arm out of the way without much effort.