Love Shimmers

Chapter 14

“Where have you been yesterday? I have been searching for you since then.” Rosalie said. I answered calmly, “I was just strolling in the garden yesterday.” First, I thought that nothing happened yesterday. However, I guess I was wrong. Her face was so pale while she was searching for me.

“What happened?” I asked. She said that something dreadful had occurred yesterday while I was away. Later, I found out that our head maidservant whom we usually called as Mrs. Dreadful caught Daphne in sober state this morning. “She was just drinking a little with me. Yesterday, I was mood was not so good so I thought of drinking a little wine. I didn’t know that she can’t take alcohols at all.” Rosalie said while sobbing. Cautiously, I comforted her and trying to not blame her because of it or accidently use any words which would hurt her. But I knew it was a grave mistake for a maidservant to drink alcoholic beverages.

Finally, I said that I will think of something to help Daphne. Really, I had no choice but to ask Damien for help. Through the corridors full of candles which light the way, I rushed to the Prince’s quarter. There was no other way. I could only go and find Damien for help. On my way there, I heard a maidservant from the Prince quarter that the prince, Damien was not here. He was expected to be in the town, Venus solving the cause of an epidemic there. Disappointedly, I went back. Along the way, I remembered that even though Damien was not present, there was still Delvin here.

Without further hesitation or anymore thoughts, I ran towards Delvin’s place. “Excuse me your highness, I am Daphne. May I enter?” I asked. From inside, I could hear, “Go ahead, enter.” I was quite nervous as I entered because I was afraid that he would do anything like before. Maybe, he saw my nervous face and said, “I won’t do anything. Rest assured. Do you need any help from me? Though, it is quite rare for you to come.” Without further ado, I just spoke frankly with him about the Dahlia’s problem. “Your Highness, will you help us, Dahlia and me? It seems that she got into a problem with the head maidservant. With your position, I’m sure you can help us. I beg of you, please.”

“Hmm… I am sure you know that I won’t just help you for nothing right?” he said. Frustrated, I just answered I knew and I told him to just say the condition/s. “You are an intelligent girl.” he said “Well, my condition is that you have to become my personal maidservant. For this reason, you will have to leave Damien. I wouldn’t force you to decide now. I’ll only give you 1 hour. Decide it before then. I’ll go and see to the matter first. I’m sure you won’t break a promise.” He giggled and went away.

I was utterly confused as I didn’t know what to do. “Should I really agree to his condition?” My mind kept on repeating that question. Alas, the time came when I needed to make the decision. Whether I agreed to his conditions and being able to help Dahlia or I disagreed with it and save myself. If I told this to Rosalie she would scream at me why I still hesitated. Actually, I couldn’t leave Damien. I need to make him understood that I’m the real Princess Leticia. Before that, I needed to make sure he knew my personality well to gain his trust. Maybe, hearing this, Rosalie would most probably severe all friendship ties with me. What choices do I have now? There were no other than agreeing to Delvin’s conditions.

“So what is your decision? I’ll count until three. At that time, when I finished counting, don’t tell me that I didn’t give you any chances.” he said. “One… Two… Thre-” just before he could say three, I answered, “Enough! Please stop counting. I agree with everything you said. I’ll be your personal maidservant and I won’t meet Damien anymore. So please…”

He said coldly with a satisfied face, “Don’t ever forget this promise.” and he went away. I just stayed there, unable to move. When I reminded myself what I had promised, I was confused why I was so reluctant of leaving Damien. Slowly, I started to realize that maybe I was falling for Damien. His kindness, when I thought of it, it’s very sweet.