Chapter 121: Susan, The New Maid
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Susan hugged her mother and cried loudly, attracting the attention of everyone on them. But neither of the women cared about it. While one was relieved to have her daughter back, the other was relieved to have returned home. The few hours in prison made Susan lose her mind and it was only when she returned to her family that she felt at peace and relaxed.
The loud cries of the mother and the daughter echoed in the silent night and some faint hearted women among the crowd could not help but tear up on seeing the touching scene.
Aylin scoffed when she saw the sudden shift in the people's reactions. Moments ago, when Susan was still detained in the prison, they were looking at the victim's family in disgust. But now, it was as though they had been enlightened all of a sudden.
Aylin could not understand why people made judgments even before the truth was revealed. Was it just so that they could gain some amusement in somebody else's grief or.... Her thoughts vanished when she felt a cold palm tugging her hand and she looked at Susan's brother who was staring back at her with tear filled eyes.
Raising brows slightly, she adjusted her scabbard before she lowered her head to meet his eyes. "Is something the matter, boy?"
Her concern filled eyes made the boy smile at her and Aylin tilted her head in confusion. "What..."
"Thank you, Commander." The boy said suddenly and Aylin stopped speaking at once.
"Well," She coughed awkwardly, not expecting his words of gratitude. "You are welcome. Moreover, it was my duty. I did what I was supposed to."
She patted the boy's head and his smile widened until it became turned into a grin. He stared at her in a daze, his eyes full of respect and admiration for her. All of a sudden, he wanted to become a warrior just like her. He wanted to become a just person and help people live a comfortable life. His previously undefined goal seemed to have formed suddenly and his eyes flashed with determination, one that had Aylin blinking at him in surprise.
"It is late now, boy. Go to sleep." Aylin patted his arm gently and stood up. However, instead of following her words, the boy just stared back at her and Aylin looked at him in confusion. "Is something the matter? Do you need something from me?" She queried but before she could finish, the boy had run inside his house, startling her by his unexpected actions.
Aylin was rendered speechless and she did not know if she should laugh or cry. The boy had started behaving weird all of a sudden and she had not missed the way his ears had turned red before he had dashed inside the house. Though surprised, she still found him to be cute just like her brother.
The moment she thought about her brother, her smile slipped and a distant look appeared in her eyes. The longing for her family which she had suppressed for quite some time emerged again and this time, it was so strong that it made her cry in grief.
"Commander, thank....what happened, Commander?" Susan's tone changed suddenly when she saw the woman who had saved her life crying silently. She knew it was not because of her. Commander of Aranill was not that weak to be moved into tears from seeing the others cry. It had to be some other matter.
"Nothing." Aylin wiped her tears and took a deep breath. "Is something the matter?"
Susan gave the woman a suspicious look. However, she did not probe further into her matters. The tragedy Aylin had faced was not a secret and the entire world knew it, let alone Susan who stayed in Aranill. She more or less had an inkling of what might have caused her to cry. So, she did not ask more about it, not wanting to dig open her wounds which were still fresh and painful.
"I was here to thank you, Commander. Thank you so much. You saved my life. I...I...."
"I understand. You are indebted to me." Aylin let out a laugh in helplessness. "I was only doing my duty. You do not have to thank me for it."
Susan stayed silent and Aylin discerned that she did not agree with her. But she did not argue about it, allowing the girl to have her own thoughts as she stared into the distance.
Aylin had no idea when the road had cleared. The crowd that had been watching the mother and the daughter pair was now nowhere to be seen. It was only her and Susan. Even Susan's mother had entered her house.
"What are you going to do now, Susan?" Aylin queried, her eyes still staring into the distance.
Susan understood what the lady beside her was referring to and she let out an aggrieved smile. "I now cannot work in the palace anymore, Commander." She stated, her voice low and defeated. Yet, it was filled with relief and Aylin turned to her at once.
"And even if I am allowed to work, I will not work there, Commander. I quit the moment I left the prison. I cannot work in such a condition where people play with my life as and when they want." Her face turned red in anger and Aylin's lips curved up. At least one person out there was willing to care about their life rather than tolerate the injustice they have suffered under the royal family's reign.
"But what are you going to do now, Susan? You are the breadwinner of your family." Aylin's forehead creased into a frown and she thought about the matter seriously.
"I do not know, Commander. I will have to search for a mansion that is willing to take me as a maid." Susan sighed lightly and looked at her feet. She was completely helpless in this matter and she did not know what to do.
Even though she was ready to find another mansion to work at, she had an inkling that it would not be easy. Since she had previously worked at the palace, suspicions would surely raise when people learned about it. Even if she was not at fault, she would still be blamed and suspected. Otherwise, why would she leave her position as the palace maid that paid her really well?
Aylin too had the same thoughts as her. Even if Susan's name was cleared, the people, especially the aristocrats would definitely suspect her. Getting a job as a maid would not be that easy and Aylin pressed her forehead in worry. She stared at the girl beside her and thought about the boy who had expressed his gratitude before running away like a scared rabbit.
Eventually, she could not tolerate herself and she made a decision. "If you are willing, you can work for me."
"Pardon." Susan blinked at her baffled, not understanding what she had just heard.
Aylin recalled what she had found out about the man who had killed her family members. Other than her family members and the guards who were protecting the mansion at the time he had attacked her family, none of the other servants and maid who worked for her had been killed. So, she fairly had an idea who the man was targeting. His target had only been his family and considering how he had spared all the servants, she hoped it to continue even now. She could make use of a maid. Her mansion needed one and she needed one too.
"You already know what happened to my family and all the guards who were protecting my family," Aylin stated with a satirical smile on her face. "After that, I sent away all the maids and servants who worked for my family. I have been living alone in the mansion till now and I feel, I might have neglected the place due to my work."
Susan immediately got what she was trying to say and a smile blossomed on her face. She was so happy that her eyes teared up again, only this time in joy.
"I do not want you to stay in my manor. It is dangerous for we still do not know who the perpetrator is. It is up to you if you wish to make up the job. I will not force you. I..."
"I am willing, Commander. I am willing to work for her." Susan interrupted her before she changed her mind and Aylin gave her a suspicious look.
"Are you sure? It might be dangerous. The murderer is still at large and he does not hesitate to kill." Though Aylin believed otherwise. The man did not have any reason to kill Susan when she was not even that close to her.
"I am sure, Commander. I trust you, Commander. You will catch him soon. So I have nothing to worry about."
'Does this girl even have any idea what she is getting into?' Aylin wondered as she examined her. Though still skeptical, she decided to trust her instincts and allowed her to work for her.
"Fine. Since you have agreed to work for me, I have some rules and I expect you to follow them. You are not to break them in any situation. Otherwise, you will stop working for me the next instant."
Susan stiffened the moment she heard the Commander's solemn tone. This was serious and she listened to her intently, not wanting to forget even one rule lest she lost her job due to her carelessness.
"Since I already told you before, you will not stay at my manor. I prefer staying alone and I have my reasons for it." Aylin started. "You will only start work after the sun rises. It does not matter if you come late. But you will not start the day's work when the sun has completely risen."
Susan could not understand why her Commander was placing such a rule. Would the people usually not expect the maids to start work even before the sun rose? She wondered but she did not question it.
"And you will leave before the sun sets. Do not wait for me. I might return home late at times. You will have the leave the manor when there is still light outside. I do not want you to stay until it turns dark. Do you understand?"
Again, Susan was perplexed by the conditions. But she just nodded in acceptance and Aylin smiled at her in appreciation.
"Your duty is to prepare the food for me, three meals a day. I will visit you during lunchtime. But for dinner, I will reheat the food you have prepared. That is enough. Also, take care of the mansion and the lawn. That is all you have to do. Do you have any questions?"
"Fine. I will pay you a hundred copper coins per month. Do you have any objections?"
As soon as Susan heard her, her eyes widened in disbelief and her mind exploded immediately.
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Susan hugged her mother and cried loudly, attracting the attention of everyone on them. But neither of the women cared about it. While one was relieved to have her daughter back, the other was relieved to have returned home. The few hours in prison made Susan lose her mind and it was only when she returned to her family that she felt at peace and relaxed.
The loud cries of the mother and the daughter echoed in the silent night and some faint hearted women among the crowd could not help but tear up on seeing the touching scene.
Aylin scoffed when she saw the sudden shift in the people's reactions. Moments ago, when Susan was still detained in the prison, they were looking at the victim's family in disgust. But now, it was as though they had been enlightened all of a sudden.
Aylin could not understand why people made judgments even before the truth was revealed. Was it just so that they could gain some amusement in somebody else's grief or.... Her thoughts vanished when she felt a cold palm tugging her hand and she looked at Susan's brother who was staring back at her with tear filled eyes.
Raising brows slightly, she adjusted her scabbard before she lowered her head to meet his eyes. "Is something the matter, boy?"
Her concern filled eyes made the boy smile at her and Aylin tilted her head in confusion. "What..."
"Thank you, Commander." The boy said suddenly and Aylin stopped speaking at once.
"Well," She coughed awkwardly, not expecting his words of gratitude. "You are welcome. Moreover, it was my duty. I did what I was supposed to."
She patted the boy's head and his smile widened until it became turned into a grin. He stared at her in a daze, his eyes full of respect and admiration for her. All of a sudden, he wanted to become a warrior just like her. He wanted to become a just person and help people live a comfortable life. His previously undefined goal seemed to have formed suddenly and his eyes flashed with determination, one that had Aylin blinking at him in surprise.
"It is late now, boy. Go to sleep." Aylin patted his arm gently and stood up. However, instead of following her words, the boy just stared back at her and Aylin looked at him in confusion. "Is something the matter? Do you need something from me?" She queried but before she could finish, the boy had run inside his house, startling her by his unexpected actions.
Aylin was rendered speechless and she did not know if she should laugh or cry. The boy had started behaving weird all of a sudden and she had not missed the way his ears had turned red before he had dashed inside the house. Though surprised, she still found him to be cute just like her brother.
The moment she thought about her brother, her smile slipped and a distant look appeared in her eyes. The longing for her family which she had suppressed for quite some time emerged again and this time, it was so strong that it made her cry in grief.
"Commander, thank....what happened, Commander?" Susan's tone changed suddenly when she saw the woman who had saved her life crying silently. She knew it was not because of her. Commander of Aranill was not that weak to be moved into tears from seeing the others cry. It had to be some other matter.
"Nothing." Aylin wiped her tears and took a deep breath. "Is something the matter?"
Susan gave the woman a suspicious look. However, she did not probe further into her matters. The tragedy Aylin had faced was not a secret and the entire world knew it, let alone Susan who stayed in Aranill. She more or less had an inkling of what might have caused her to cry. So, she did not ask more about it, not wanting to dig open her wounds which were still fresh and painful.
"I was here to thank you, Commander. Thank you so much. You saved my life. I...I...."
"I understand. You are indebted to me." Aylin let out a laugh in helplessness. "I was only doing my duty. You do not have to thank me for it."
Susan stayed silent and Aylin discerned that she did not agree with her. But she did not argue about it, allowing the girl to have her own thoughts as she stared into the distance.
Aylin had no idea when the road had cleared. The crowd that had been watching the mother and the daughter pair was now nowhere to be seen. It was only her and Susan. Even Susan's mother had entered her house.
"What are you going to do now, Susan?" Aylin queried, her eyes still staring into the distance.
Susan understood what the lady beside her was referring to and she let out an aggrieved smile. "I now cannot work in the palace anymore, Commander." She stated, her voice low and defeated. Yet, it was filled with relief and Aylin turned to her at once.
"And even if I am allowed to work, I will not work there, Commander. I quit the moment I left the prison. I cannot work in such a condition where people play with my life as and when they want." Her face turned red in anger and Aylin's lips curved up. At least one person out there was willing to care about their life rather than tolerate the injustice they have suffered under the royal family's reign.
"But what are you going to do now, Susan? You are the breadwinner of your family." Aylin's forehead creased into a frown and she thought about the matter seriously.
"I do not know, Commander. I will have to search for a mansion that is willing to take me as a maid." Susan sighed lightly and looked at her feet. She was completely helpless in this matter and she did not know what to do.
Even though she was ready to find another mansion to work at, she had an inkling that it would not be easy. Since she had previously worked at the palace, suspicions would surely raise when people learned about it. Even if she was not at fault, she would still be blamed and suspected. Otherwise, why would she leave her position as the palace maid that paid her really well?
Aylin too had the same thoughts as her. Even if Susan's name was cleared, the people, especially the aristocrats would definitely suspect her. Getting a job as a maid would not be that easy and Aylin pressed her forehead in worry. She stared at the girl beside her and thought about the boy who had expressed his gratitude before running away like a scared rabbit.
Eventually, she could not tolerate herself and she made a decision. "If you are willing, you can work for me."
"Pardon." Susan blinked at her baffled, not understanding what she had just heard.
Aylin recalled what she had found out about the man who had killed her family members. Other than her family members and the guards who were protecting the mansion at the time he had attacked her family, none of the other servants and maid who worked for her had been killed. So, she fairly had an idea who the man was targeting. His target had only been his family and considering how he had spared all the servants, she hoped it to continue even now. She could make use of a maid. Her mansion needed one and she needed one too.
"You already know what happened to my family and all the guards who were protecting my family," Aylin stated with a satirical smile on her face. "After that, I sent away all the maids and servants who worked for my family. I have been living alone in the mansion till now and I feel, I might have neglected the place due to my work."
Susan immediately got what she was trying to say and a smile blossomed on her face. She was so happy that her eyes teared up again, only this time in joy.
"I do not want you to stay in my manor. It is dangerous for we still do not know who the perpetrator is. It is up to you if you wish to make up the job. I will not force you. I..."
"I am willing, Commander. I am willing to work for her." Susan interrupted her before she changed her mind and Aylin gave her a suspicious look.
"Are you sure? It might be dangerous. The murderer is still at large and he does not hesitate to kill." Though Aylin believed otherwise. The man did not have any reason to kill Susan when she was not even that close to her.
"I am sure, Commander. I trust you, Commander. You will catch him soon. So I have nothing to worry about."
'Does this girl even have any idea what she is getting into?' Aylin wondered as she examined her. Though still skeptical, she decided to trust her instincts and allowed her to work for her.
"Fine. Since you have agreed to work for me, I have some rules and I expect you to follow them. You are not to break them in any situation. Otherwise, you will stop working for me the next instant."
Susan stiffened the moment she heard the Commander's solemn tone. This was serious and she listened to her intently, not wanting to forget even one rule lest she lost her job due to her carelessness.
"Since I already told you before, you will not stay at my manor. I prefer staying alone and I have my reasons for it." Aylin started. "You will only start work after the sun rises. It does not matter if you come late. But you will not start the day's work when the sun has completely risen."
Susan could not understand why her Commander was placing such a rule. Would the people usually not expect the maids to start work even before the sun rose? She wondered but she did not question it.
"And you will leave before the sun sets. Do not wait for me. I might return home late at times. You will have the leave the manor when there is still light outside. I do not want you to stay until it turns dark. Do you understand?"
Again, Susan was perplexed by the conditions. But she just nodded in acceptance and Aylin smiled at her in appreciation.
"Your duty is to prepare the food for me, three meals a day. I will visit you during lunchtime. But for dinner, I will reheat the food you have prepared. That is enough. Also, take care of the mansion and the lawn. That is all you have to do. Do you have any questions?"
"Fine. I will pay you a hundred copper coins per month. Do you have any objections?"
As soon as Susan heard her, her eyes widened in disbelief and her mind exploded immediately.
Susan hugged her mother and cried loudly, attracting the attention of everyone on them. But neither of the women cared about it. While one was relieved to have her daughter back, the other was relieved to have returned home. The few hours in prison made Susan lose her mind and it was only when she returned to her family that she felt at peace and relaxed.The loud cries of the mother and the daughter echoed in the silent night and some faint hearted women among the crowd could not help but tear up on seeing the touching scene. Aylin scoffed when she saw the sudden shift in the people's reactions. Moments ago, when Susan was still detained in the prison, they were looking at the victim's family in disgust. But now, it was as though they had been enlightened all of a sudden. Aylin could not understand why people made judgments even before the truth was revealed. Was it just so that they could gain some amusement in somebody else's grief or.... Her thoughts vanished when she felt a cold palm tugging her hand and she looked at Susan's brother who was staring back at her with tear filled eyes.Raising brows slightly, she adjusted her scabbard before she lowered her head to meet his eyes. "Is something the matter, boy?"Her concern filled eyes made the boy smile at her and Aylin tilted her head in confusion. "What...""Thank you, Commander." The boy said suddenly and Aylin stopped speaking at once."Well," She coughed awkwardly, not expecting his words of gratitude. "You are welcome. Moreover, it was my duty. I did what I was supposed to."She patted the boy's head and his smile widened until it became turned into a grin. He stared at her in a daze, his eyes full of respect and admiration for her. All of a sudden, he wanted to become a warrior just like her. He wanted to become a just person and help people live a comfortable life. His previously undefined goal seemed to have formed suddenly and his eyes flashed with determination, one that had Aylin blinking at him in surprise."It is late now, boy. Go to sleep." Aylin patted his arm gently and stood up. However, instead of following her words, the boy just stared back at her and Aylin looked at him in confusion. "Is something the matter? Do you need something from me?" She queried but before she could finish, the boy had run inside his house, startling her by his unexpected actions. Aylin was rendered speechless and she did not know if she should laugh or cry. The boy had started behaving weird all of a sudden and she had not missed the way his ears had turned red before he had dashed inside the house. Though surprised, she still found him to be cute just like her brother.The moment she thought about her brother, her smile slipped and a distant look appeared in her eyes. The longing for her family which she had suppressed for quite some time emerged again and this time, it was so strong that it made her cry in grief."Commander, thank....what happened, Commander?" Susan's tone changed suddenly when she saw the woman who had saved her life crying silently. She knew it was not because of her. Commander of Aranill was not that weak to be moved into tears from seeing the others cry. It had to be some other matter."Nothing." Aylin wiped her tears and took a deep breath. "Is something the matter?"Susan gave the woman a suspicious look. However, she did not probe further into her matters. The tragedy Aylin had faced was not a secret and the entire world knew it, let alone Susan who stayed in Aranill. She more or less had an inkling of what might have caused her to cry. So, she did not ask more about it, not wanting to dig open her wounds which were still fresh and painful."I was here to thank you, Commander. Thank you so much. You saved my life. I...I....""I understand. You are indebted to me." Aylin let out a laugh in helplessness. "I was only doing my duty. You do not have to thank me for it."Susan stayed silent and Aylin discerned that she did not agree with her. But she did not argue about it, allowing the girl to have her own thoughts as she stared into the distance.Aylin had no idea when the road had cleared. The crowd that had been watching the mother and the daughter pair was now nowhere to be seen. It was only her and Susan. Even Susan's mother had entered her house."What are you going to do now, Susan?" Aylin queried, her eyes still staring into the distance.Susan understood what the lady beside her was referring to and she let out an aggrieved smile. "I now cannot work in the palace anymore, Commander." She stated, her voice low and defeated. Yet, it was filled with relief and Aylin turned to her at once."And even if I am allowed to work, I will not work there, Commander. I quit the moment I left the prison. I cannot work in such a condition where people play with my life as and when they want." Her face turned red in anger and Aylin's lips curved up. At least one person out there was willing to care about their life rather than tolerate the injustice they have suffered under the royal family's reign."But what are you going to do now, Susan? You are the breadwinner of your family." Aylin's forehead creased into a frown and she thought about the matter seriously."I do not know, Commander. I will have to search for a mansion that is willing to take me as a maid." Susan sighed lightly and looked at her feet. She was completely helpless in this matter and she did not know what to do.Even though she was ready to find another mansion to work at, she had an inkling that it would not be easy. Since she had previously worked at the palace, suspicions would surely raise when people learned about it. Even if she was not at fault, she would still be blamed and suspected. Otherwise, why would she leave her position as the palace maid that paid her really well? Aylin too had the same thoughts as her. Even if Susan's name was cleared, the people, especially the aristocrats would definitely suspect her. Getting a job as a maid would not be that easy and Aylin pressed her forehead in worry. She stared at the girl beside her and thought about the boy who had expressed his gratitude before running away like a scared rabbit.Eventually, she could not tolerate herself and she made a decision. "If you are willing, you can work for me.""Pardon." Susan blinked at her baffled, not understanding what she had just heard.Aylin recalled what she had found out about the man who had killed her family members. Other than her family members and the guards who were protecting the mansion at the time he had attacked her family, none of the other servants and maid who worked for her had been killed. So, she fairly had an idea who the man was targeting. His target had only been his family and considering how he had spared all the servants, she hoped it to continue even now. She could make use of a maid. Her mansion needed one and she needed one too."You already know what happened to my family and all the guards who were protecting my family," Aylin stated with a satirical smile on her face. "After that, I sent away all the maids and servants who worked for my family. I have been living alone in the mansion till now and I feel, I might have neglected the place due to my work."Susan immediately got what she was trying to say and a smile blossomed on her face. She was so happy that her eyes teared up again, only this time in joy."I do not want you to stay in my manor. It is dangerous for we still do not know who the perpetrator is. It is up to you if you wish to make up the job. I will not force you. I...""I am willing, Commander. I am willing to work for her." Susan interrupted her before she changed her mind and Aylin gave her a suspicious look."Are you sure? It might be dangerous. The murderer is still at large and he does not hesitate to kill." Though Aylin believed otherwise. The man did not have any reason to kill Susan when she was not even that close to her. "I am sure, Commander. I trust you, Commander. You will catch him soon. So I have nothing to worry about."'Does this girl even have any idea what she is getting into?' Aylin wondered as she examined her. Though still skeptical, she decided to trust her instincts and allowed her to work for her."Fine. Since you have agreed to work for me, I have some rules and I expect you to follow them. You are not to break them in any situation. Otherwise, you will stop working for me the next instant."Susan stiffened the moment she heard the Commander's solemn tone. This was serious and she listened to her intently, not wanting to forget even one rule lest she lost her job due to her carelessness."Since I already told you before, you will not stay at my manor. I prefer staying alone and I have my reasons for it." Aylin started. "You will only start work after the sun rises. It does not matter if you come late. But you will not start the day's work when the sun has completely risen."Susan could not understand why her Commander was placing such a rule. Would the people usually not expect the maids to start work even before the sun rose? She wondered but she did not question it."And you will leave before the sun sets. Do not wait for me. I might return home late at times. You will have the leave the manor when there is still light outside. I do not want you to stay until it turns dark. Do you understand?"Again, Susan was perplexed by the conditions. But she just nodded in acceptance and Aylin smiled at her in appreciation."Your duty is to prepare the food for me, three meals a day. I will visit you during lunchtime. But for dinner, I will reheat the food you have prepared. That is enough. Also, take care of the mansion and the lawn. That is all you have to do. Do you have any questions?""Fine. I will pay you a hundred copper coins per month. Do you have any objections?"As soon as Susan heard her, her eyes widened in disbelief and her mind exploded immediately.
