Echoes in Darkness

Chapter 11

I sat on my bed reading the book. It was all about the history of noble houses in Lagranda. More specifically it was about the first noble houses formed in Lagranda. One of which was the House of Bugus. I was shocked to hear how our name had been removed as a house, and replaced with another. We were the first house appointed, and the first to be removed. Although Queen Faye had told me, it was even more shocking to see it in words.

          I closed the book, and began to rub my eyes. It was getting near lunch time, and no one had called for me. I got off the bed, and began to place the book underneath of the bed. No one came up here, and if they did they wouldn't see the book.

Opening the door the voices from below began to make their way up to me. Then. Brielle's crying. I sighed and began to walk down the stairs. Emile was leaving tomorrow morning, and Isiah had already left. I wish that he could have stayed longer, but duty calls.

I made my way to the first floor. I found Emile standing near the couch, Brielle against her shoulder. Lance and Genevieve were sitting at the table already eating. I didn't see Mother or Father. Mae must have brought them something. Emile turned around, and saw me standing at the bottom of the stairs.

"Alex, do you know where Mother is?" she asked while rubbing Brielle's back as she cried.

I shook my head. "No. Did you need something?" I ask.

"No. I just needed to talk to Mother."

I nodded my head. Before I began to go to the kitchens I turned to Emile. "Do you want anything?"

"No. I'll eat later."

With a small smile I continued to make my way to the kitchen. There was a small hall that led off of one side, an extra room that Mae used. Just across from that room was a short stair case that led down to the kitchen. I found Mae working on something.

"Alexandrine," she said, "so nice to see you." Her dark tan skin was peppered with flour.

I offered her a warm smile. "I just need something to eat," I said.

She gave me a nod. "How about a sandwich? I have left over meat from Givings that I can use."

"That'd be nice."

She smiled, and went to work. I sat down in a small stool that was at the counter where she was working. I looked into the bowl, and saw it was just a salad. She placed the plate in front of me.

"Did you want some?" she asked motioning to the salad.

I shook my head. "No. Maybe later."

She nodded, and continued to work on the meal. When she was finished with the salad she began to make some bread. Covering the counter in flour, and managing to get some on her apron as well.

Mae looked up at me as I ate. "That's a lovely necklace," she said as she worked the dough.

I swallowed. "Thank you. Emile told me Cassian got it for me," I replied.

Watching her some more I saw many things about her that I didn't see before. She was much older than me, and as far as I knew had been working as the house keeper, and cook for as long as I could remember. She had wrinkles near her eyes, and mouth. Her hands looked well kept. I could only think it was all the years of making our food. I knew she had a husband and family, but stayed here most of the time. I had seen her children many times.

"Do you want some help Mae?"

She shook her head. "No Alexandrine. I can handle this on my own. Thank you for the offer though," she said. She placed the dough in the bowl, and put a towel over it. She put it on a shelf near the oven then turned back to me "You can help me tomorrow. I have to go into Lothan and get some more food for the week. You are more than welcome to come with me."

I smiled. "I would love to go to town with you tomorrow."

She returned my smile with one of her own. I cleaned my place, and went back upstairs. Cassian was sitting on the couch with Brielle in his arms. I sneaked past him, and back up the stairs.

Reaching under the bed I pulled back out the book, and began to read it again.