MRS RÓDRÍGUÉZ - EPISODE 21

” Do you need anything my Lady?” The voice startled Audrielle immediately she emerged from her room.

“Really sorry to startle you. Just wanted to know if you want me to do anything for you?” She said with a gruff smile. When she noticed the stare on Audrielle’s face.

“Have you been standing there??.. uhm..

“Sally. My name is Sally, again ” she finished for Audrielle seeing she couldn’t recall her name.

“Sally, the head maid of this palace, have you been standing there? Cause it seems like it to me… ” Audrielle was forced to ask.

Lately, Sally has been around her. Loyal to her duties and extra commited as a maid, especially to her. She’s always around from nowhere to ask about her faring relentlessly.

“Uh. No. Saw you walk out. Just wanted to ask if you need anything before you get too busy for the day”

Strange isn’t it? She does this act everyday

“No thanks. I’m fine” audrielle shook her head with a Dim smile.

“But in case you need anything, I’m always around to do anything for you my lady. Always”

“No problem Sally. I won’t hesitate to call you then”
Audrielle retorted with satisfaction as Sally courtsied and made her way to Leave.

Sally from the outset has been the only friendly maid she’s known.

She has recently developed this attitude. She’s always at every nook or cranny Audrielle finds herself to ask if she’d be needing anything.

Her nature is sweet, Audrielle must admit. Sweet like her appearance.

Audrielle smiled faintly to herself before finding her way to Tarsia’s room.

******

“What do you mean you saw him kissing some girl?’ Tarsia’ rasped unbelievably after listening to what Audrielle said.

“It would have been a joke if I didn’t see it correctly.. I’m certainly not mistaken”

“Are you sure you saw the right thing? Cause since I’ve been in this palace I haven’t seen the prince get attached to any one talk more a lady”

“Please okay. I know what I’m saying. Something tells me this lady is his Lover whom he told me about during our evening stroll. Though I didn’t clearly see her face but I can tell she’s no where familiar in this environment. I Haven’t seen a figure like that before”
Audrielle tried to explain broader.

“So if really the prince kissed a lady, what happened to her later? Why haven’t we seen her around?” Tarsia’ asked, still in disbelief.

“I don’t know. I didn’t wait to see where everything ended. I just….. I just looked away. It seemed really annoying at the moment” Audrielle scoffed.

“I get it now. You are jealous. Aren’t you?” Tarsia’ narrowed a brow at her friend.

“Oh please” she rolled her eyes, and then continued. “. I won’t call it jealousy. It’s just a feeling I don’t like. I don’t really know…. But I definitely won’t put it as being jealous”

” I see. So… Is he still in the Chamber?”

” I think so. I left him there. Ever since his encounter with that lady, his mood has been blurred. But he seemed pretty happy earlier when he was with her. I wonder what might have gone wrong”

” Maybe you’ would’ve had an answer to that if you had stayed put to watch the whole scenario”

“What? You’re really saying that? You didn’t expect me to do such did you? Besides it wasn’t my place to see them at first place. It wasn’t my business… I really wish I didn’t. ”

Audrielle stated her mind, obviously in regret as she laid flat on the bed.

” Now I can smell jealousy”

“No. I’m not jeal…

“It’s fine to get jealous Audrielle. No big deal in that. Especially when it comes to something or someone who belongs to you…”

Audrielle grunted. ” He doesn’t belong to me. His heart is somewhere else…”

She paused, then continued. ‘ I just …. I just want to ease off my mind. Let’s go to Montane field Tarsia’, it’s almost noon, probably by late noon we’ll be back. I really need to go there”

“I was hoping you’d say that”… Tarsia’ smiled.
“Let me change into something better” she added with a giggle.

“I see nothing wrong with. What you’re putting on” Audrielle spoke out but got a silent response from Tarsia’ who already reached for another dress.

****

” Should we go on foot or you intend we ride on the steeds in the stable?” Tarsia’ suddenly asked After getting dressed in a new cloth.

“Well, I suggest on foot. It isn’t that far anyway. It won’t take long.”

“If you say so.” She shrugged her shoulders as they both walked out from the room.

“What if the queen sees you…

“She won’t. Besides it’s not a crime to go for a walk. I’m not a slave, but a princess…” Audrielle cut her friend short and for the first time, spoke of the word *princess* with a tinted pride.

” Whatever you say, princess”

*****

“Are you going out my lady?”

Sally ran up to Audrielle and Tarsia’ the moment they stepped out from the palace.

“Uhm. Yes. Going out for a walk with my friend. Any problem?”

“Do you mind if I come along. Just in case you need anything. I’ll be there to answer your call”

“Excuse me? Why am I here then?” Tarsia’ cut in. A thin frown stretched across her face.

Audrielle laughed a little at her friend.

“Relax Tarsie. She’s just being nice and loyal to her duties”

“Oh.” Tarsia’ rolled her eyes in disgust.

Audrielle turned to face Sally ” you can come along. I might need you there”

“What?” Tarsia’ almost choked.
“Really??” She added with a scoff.

“Oh. Thank you my lady. I’m always here for anything” Sally beckoned. Her smile reflecting on her pretty face.

Her smile Alone irritated Tarsia’.
She just hates the fact that Audrielle agreed she should come along.

Like, since when?
The look on tarsia’s face showed her instant dislike for Sally.
To her, she’s just too forward.

Sally ignored the begrudging stares Tarsia’ threw at. She’s doing this for the new princess not her friend. That’s all she cares.

‘ hey you can start by walking ahead. We’ll be at your back” Tarsia’ said.

At first, Sally was reluctant, then she stared at audrielle who nodded to what Tarsia’ just Said, signifying she agreed with her friend.

“Ok” Sally nodded obediently and moved forward.

“You shouldn’t be too hard on her okay. She’s just doing her job”

“First of all audrielle, she’s not supposed to be a part of this Walk. I can’t believe you agreed to it. What exactly does she mean by *I’m here in case you need anything?* Like I’m impotent!. Huh. What’s my essence then?”

“Why do I smell jealousy?” Audrielle asked with a teasing smile.

“You know I’m Not jealous. I can’t be. I’m not just happy she came along” Tarsia’ groaned.

“Huh. I think she’s sweet” Audrielle replied instead.

*
*
*
****

” I hope nobody followed you here?” The thick voice spoke in the woods the moment the image stopped before him.

“No. ” She shook her head, she was certain of that.

“Good. So any news on What I assigned you to do?” Mario asked.

It was dark and just a half Moon above their heads. Their faces were hidden in their hoods.

“Not yet. Still trying my best to get close to her for necessary information” she replied.

“Really? No clue?”

” I have plans. ” She replied almost immediately.

“Well hasten whatever plan you have. You know Lord Ashton is an impatient man. He doesn’t like delay. Time isn’t really on our side”

“I’m trying my best. I know there’s no much time but give me time. I’ll tell you everything you need to know. I just have to get more closer to her to get any necessary information you need. And that’s what I’m actually working on. So I really need time” she emphasized.

Mario sighed out. Retaining his silence.

“I better get going before my absence is missed” she concluded and turned to leave.

“I’m really counting on you, you never disappoint. Do not now” he spoke out and she nodded.

Without much said, she tarried back into the palace through a secret vault, still without a notice of anyone.