YOU HAVE NO RIGHT VALERIA His cold , menacing aura surrounded me , crushing my will copsed to my knees on the icy floor as his shadow loomed over me .
I had forgotten how dangerous the King was , and now , perhaps , I would pay for my stupidity .
1 felt him rummaging through the album and then the boxes , probably making sure I hadnt damaged his precious memories .
Suddenly , he came closer , and I lowered my head even further , biting my bottom lip to stop my teeth from chattering He gripped my chin tightly , forcing me to raise my gaze to meet his .
His eyes were nearly red , like his beast , filled with fury and murderous intent .
Never , ever in your life dare to go through my private things again ! Dont you dare take advantage of the trust Ive given you , Valeria ! This ce is forbidden to you .
You have no right to touch them ! Is that clear ?! Y yes … yes , sir , I stammered , feeling the pressure on my chin and as if an invisible hand was squeezing my throat .
Get out ! he barked , releasing me roughly .
I stumbled back , trembling as I fled the suffocating room and ran down the corridors toward my small safe space .
I reached my room , mming the door shut and locking it with shaking hands .
I walked to the bathroom and turned on the faucet , sshing cold water onto my face .
When I looked up , frightened , into the old mirror on the wall , I saw the tears falling from my blue eyes , one after another , until they turned into a muffled sob .
My hands went to my damp cheeks , digging my fingers into the scarred skin of my distorted face .
So ugly , so horrible , so broken .
What man would ever fall in love with me or even consider starting a family with a woman so scarred , both inside and out ? How could I have been so foolish to confuse things ? When had I started letting my feelings get involved ? It had to stop .
I had to go back to being the original Valeria 1 braced myself against the white sink , breathing deeply with my eyes closed , trying to calm down .
I turned on the faucet again and sshed more cold water on my face , driving away the fear and sadness .
After washing up a bit , I decided to return to my maid duties thats what I was paid for so I went back to theundry area .
I didnt know how they looked at me or what they whispered .
I just sat in front of a tub and started scrubbing and soaping , scrubbing harder and harder to forget my miserable life .
lost track of time , but suddenly , I heard the housekeepers voice .
Valeria , thats enough , she said , and I looked up , confused , YOP HAVE NO FIGHT Thats when I noticed the sun setting on the horizon , filtering through the branches of the dark forest .
Night had already fallen .
At some point , all the other maids had left .
Except me .
Why on earth are you trying to wash the entire castlesundry in a single day ? Its time to stop , she insisted , watching me with those critical green eyes .
I lowered my gaze and pulled my pale , wrinkled hands from the soapy water .
The pain in my raw , red knuckles was sharp I had literally scrubbed the skin off during this task .
I … I still need to hang the clothes , I replied , staring into the water .
You can do that tomorrow .
Or someone else can .
No , please .
I need to do it myself , I answered stubbornly , and after a few seconds , I heard her defeated sigh .
Fine .
Do as you wish , she said , and I heard her footsteps leaving .
I lifted my head and watched her walk away with that firm ,posed stride she always had .
Sometimes , I envied her .
I wished I could be as unyielding as she was ..
Nothing seemed to affect the housekeeper .
Valeria , she suddenly stopped and turned back to face me The rules I gave you from the start never forget them , little maid .
They were meant to protect your neck from death … but also your heart .
She spoke with the gentlest tone she had ever used , her eyes no longer so stern and intimidating .
Somethingplex stirred behind them .