Snippet #2121483

The smell of onion sickened her but there was no escaping it, the medicine woman told them that Onion and Vegetable soup would do her best in her condition. Best to avoid the fat filled foods and concentrate on the nourishment of the plants. Every bottle of wine was also removed within her reach and were replaced by a daily delivery of fresh cow and goat's milk. It was rather apparent that she had gained a little bit of weight than before but with the joy of having a child also installed fear in Adarra.

She knew that her situation brings a lot of danger in her and her babe's life. "Madam, another spoon please. Madam Laurea will slap me again if you do not finish your bowl," Flora lifted a silver spoon close to her mouth as the tray had sat on her lap. Plead were in her eyes but Adarra had enough of the bland food they usually give her. Her head still facing left towards the windows as the noise of early risers rushed from the outside as she remained seated on her bed and tucked with silk blankets.

"Please Madam, just 4 more spoonfuls..." Flora asked again. She took a deep sigh and faced the servant and opened her mouth. The warm liquid filled her mouth as she did her best to gulp it all in but she had to pull the bowl to her mouth and spit it all out. Flora knew she'd be getting a beating again so excused herself out with the tray.

Moments later, dressed in fine silk dress that showed her arms and shoulders, Laura glided towards her room and lifted on of her earrings, tried it on and looked at her image in the mirror and spoke without looking at her, "I told you to go walking under the first rays of sunshine, your skin looks paler everyday. Not a pretty sight for my best whore."

"Best that you know that I've made Flora leave service. That woman can't really just do anything right. All she had to do was to feed you and made sure you are well but-" She cut herself short while she lifted her arms in the air as if resigning to the idea of doing such simple things.

She took another sigh and let herself sink in her bed, covering her whole self with her blankets and remained silent. She wasn't in the mood for Laurea's words, since the King haven't visited her for the longest time. She dearly missed him and at the same time loathed the truth about them. She wrapped herself with her arms and cried softly under the covers. When she heard a knock, the soft squeak of her door and a familiar voice "Madam Laurea, you have a visitor." Then the sound of her earrings being laid on her vanity and footsteps fading.

~~~~~~~

"What was it that you mentioned your name is again?" With a scrutinizing look and a raised left eyebrow, Laurea looked at a girl in disgust. Her servants have treated the girl's wounds and gave her a whore's dress but it did nothing to make her bruises beautiful.

"Cl-- Claudette Madam," Her hands shook as she held a cup of honeyed milk with both. The Queen had instructed her what to say and what to do in order to pursue the Whore woman to hire her.

"Ah and you said you were from?"

"Riverrun. I used to serve Lady Runwick of House Frey but when she died I had no where to go. I heard a lot about your place and dreamt of serving as a hand maid here for a very long time. I've heard of the perks and freedom in doing service in your house. I've saved enough coins and journeyed but I was robbed and beaten even before I reached your doorstep. But I promise, I am a trustworthy person. I- I bet my whole life to it," Like words from her heart, she had the words memorized while she run in fear from the Red Keep.

Laurea softly nod her head. She was indeed short of one servant since she had violently made Flora leave. She stood up and turned her back towards Claudette. She walked towards the exit then paused, she slightly moved her head and spoke, "Take you rest. You are hired and will be starting tomorrow." She then left the hand maiden as she recovered from the bruises the Queen has given her.