Just the Maid

Chapter Twelve- Wear WHAT!?

"I have a proposition for you."

"And what would that be?" I looked at him. He had a smug grin on his face like he just won a prize at the local festival.

"I want you to work for me," he said.

"Doing what?"

"Technically, I want you to work as a maid, but you'll secretly be my spy."

"Who would you want me to spy on?"

"My son. Killua." My eyes widened a little.

"Why him?" I ask, suspicious.

"Well..." He sits cross-legged before me and clasps his hands together, lowering his head to look into his lap.

"I'm going to be honest with you, Katara. I'm worried about him. I fear that he may not want to be the family heir. He does as I want him to do, but I see no enthusiasm. I'm training him so he can become my successor, but I'm afraid that may not be what he wants." He lifts his head to look at me.

"I want you to confirm my suspicions. I want you to follow him, while being discreet. Befriend him, if you must."

"Why don't you just ask?" I blurt.

"Because if I ask and he says yes, I won't know what to do next. He is the only one I can trust to be my heir. He may even run away. If he says that it's not true, then he will mistrust me, and leave anyway. Do you see now?"

"Alright... I guess. Heck, I'd do the same thing." I laugh. "What's my payment, when I succeed in getting you your straight answer?"

"You can choose what you want when you complete your task. So, do we have a deal?" He stretches his hand out to me. I look at it, contemplating what I should do.

'Okay... I have to think thoroughly about this... I need more time than now!' I think. "Can I sleep on it?"

"No. It's now or never," he says, sternly.

"Well... I... Alright, why not?" I clutch his hand and squeeze. He squeezes back and we look each other in the eyes.

"We have a deal then. I'll have a room made for you in the maid's quarters," he says as he helps me up. I let go of his hand and place my other hand on the wall for support. He leads me out of the room.

"You can rest in the room you have for tonight and we'll set you up tomorrow," he says. I nod and clutch my stomach as it growls.

"Um... Where can a girl get some food around here?" I ask, embarrassed.

"You will eat with the other servants tonight. Get to know them a little," he says.

"O-Okay." We stumble down the halls until we finally reach the exit.

"Do you want some help getting to your room?" he offers.

"Naaaah, I'll be fine!" I wave him off. "You should know by now, I'm tougher than I look!" I smile wide, showing him how capable I am, and I leave for the butlers' cottage.

When I reach my room, I find heaven on my table. He sent me food! I ran over and started shoving different fruits and vegetables and meats into my mouth. I was so happy...

"Do you even know how to use a fork?" said a sarcastic voice. My eyes widened and I turned around, embarrassed. I sucked in the carrot I was eating and laughed, rubbing the back of my head.

"Sorry, I got a little carried away. Were you the one who brought this in, Canary?" I ask.

"Yes, Master Silva asked me to bring it in for you. He also asked me to bring you this." She held out my cloak.