Free Web NovelChapter 21: Beyond The Mansion Walls
Loraine moved through the halls, her eyes roaming around every corner in search of Sarah. She walked past maids who all glared at her, some whispering behind her back as she passed but she paid them no mind, she was already more than used to it at this point.
’Damn it, where is she?’ Loraine thought after a bit more searching, growing a bit anxious as she couldn’t find the blonde haired girl anywhere.
’Guess I’ll just go back to my room then, its already getting late anyway.’ Loraine thought with a sigh, making her way to her room as her stomach grumbled, a small flush of embarrassment coloring her cheeks as she realized just how hungry she was.
’Damn...I haven’t had anything to eat yet.’ She thought, ’Margret’s making it out to be some grand punishment or whatever, but I’m certain she’s just trying to starve me to death.’ She gazed outside for a moment, out into the gardens and past the curtains as she walked down the halls, noticing a grand chariot pulling up at the mansion’s gates.
Guards stood at the sides of the gate, while a figure she didn’t wish she had to see was also standing there. The perilous young master of the mansion, and the one who had ultimately killed her before she had arrived in this world.
"Valmont..." The name left her lips with a bitter taste, a scowl on her lips as she didn’t even wish to address that young bastard as the young master. He stood there, as a fancy carriage pulled up to the mansion grounds, adorning her noble family’s crest, Loraine’s eyes blinking as she immediately recognized it.
’That’s the Ashbourne Crest! Are they back already?’ Loraine thought, watching with curiosity as two beautiful figures stepped out of the carriage, a young girl and a tall beautiful woman dressed in fine silk, and beside her a man that sent a wave of fear through Loraine’s bones, the lord of this mansion, and that bastard’s father.
’...’ Loraine stood there for a moment, lost in her own thoughts as she watched the family get escorted by Margret, the head maid bowing with her deepest respects for a moment, before quickly rushing back into the house, a confused brow being raised on her face.
’What’s going on? I’ve never seen Margret in such a rush before.’ Loraine thought, turning to leave as she didn’t want to be caught staring and getting into unnecessary trouble, making her way back to her room where Sarah was standing outside, seemingly waiting for her.
"Sarah!" Loraine exclaimed in delight, her eyes lighting up with happiness as she quickly rushed to her best friend. "I was looking everywhere for you, where were you?" She asked, a bit annoyed as she had spent quite some time running in circles just to not find her anywhere.
"O-oh! I was looking for you as well, but...I couldn’t find you anywhere, so I just thought I’d wait for you here." Sarah replied, a small embarrassed flush on her face as she quickly shook her head and glanced up at Loraine. "Anyway! I’ve heard that the Ashbourne family is back," Sarah said with a bit of a trembled in her voice, though she tried her best to stay composed.
’Yeah, I was watching them earlier.’ Loraine said to Sarah mentally, though she couldn’t hear her thoughts.
"I’m not sure as to why they returned so suddenly, but I’m afraid Valmont will try and get you into further trouble." Sarah said, a frightened look on her face as she recalled Loraine’s outburst that almost got her killed, she was certain that if Valmont were to report this, Loraine would most definitely get into even more trouble than she already had with Margret.
’Oh...I see what she means.’ Loraine thought, glancing behind her as she glanced at the hallway, where the maids were already moving up and down to welcome the family back, but Loraine wasn’t going to help, not that they even want that to begin with.
’Even if I were to tell them that Valmont had been harassing Sarah...I’m sure it would mean nothing if it came from me.’ She sighed, the fact that her low position practically nerfed her in every aspect of her life was so damn irritating.
’I need to wait and see what happens...’
"Don’t worry Sarah." Loraine said with a light hearted smile, trying her best to ease her friends worries. "I’m sure I’ll be fine, and if he dares try and get me into trouble, then I’ll just go ahead and expose him."
Sarah blinked in surprise, her heart wrenching at the thought as she pictured the scene. She knew that deep down nobody was going to believe her, she wanted to tell Loraine to stop, but seeing the smile on her best friends face, Sarah didn’t want to put out what little hope they had, so she just opted to play along.
Even if it were a foolish thing to do. freewёbnoνel.com
"Y-yeah..." Sarah said, her voice dropping to a faint whisper. Loraine immediately picked up on it however, already cursing her inability to brighten the mood, but this was the best she could’ve done.
"Sarah," Loraine started, having thought about it for a moment. "I’ve been meaning to ask you-"
Just then however, the sound of hurried footsteps made their way towards the two women, Loraine’s eyes immediately flicking to the intruder, the intruder in question being Margret, and she didn’t look pleased in the slightest.
’Uh oh...’ Loraine thought, breaking a nervous sweat as her body freezed up, not knowing what to do.
However, as soon as Margret approached, Sarah’s demeanor immediately changed as she immediately stood in between the two, her arms outstretched as she outstretched her arms, already taking on a protective role as she shielded her best friend from Margret’s antics.
"What do you want?" Sarah asked in a demanding tone, shocking Loraine as she wasn’t used to seeing Sarah this serious before.
"Out of my brat, this is urgent." Margret grumbled under her breath, fumbling into her pocket as she pulled out a small pouch of copper and silver coins, presenting them to Loraine who was confused at the sight.
’There’s no way she’s actually paying me....right?’ Loraine thought, a spark of hope in her eyes. freewebnøvel.coɱ
"I need you to go out and purchase cooking ingredients." Margret said, instantly crushing Loraine’s hopes as she sighed in disappointment.
’Thought so-! W-Wait!? I’m going outside!?’
