I Thirst for You — Chapter 11 – Touring the Mansion

Amanda woke up early the next morning feeling refreshed. With her nightclothes on, she stood up and neared the French door of the balcony. The outside showed the cheerful sky of light blue and yellow-orange. She inhaled deeply and smiled.

She may be in the witness protection program, but that didn’t mean she can’t tour the castle grounds freely.

Taking an early bath was the first step to it so she did that in a classy bathroom accessible just a few strides away from the bed. By the time she finished and exited with a towel wrapped around her body, breakfast was already laid in the coffee table, the bedroom door was open, the thick curtains were drawn to the sides, and the early morning light shone through.

There was a new maid busily fixing her bedding, but she seemed to be immersed with the rock music in her headphones.

“Uh, good morning?” Amanda stated, standing near the bathroom door and looking at the maid with brows drawn up.

The young lady in a clean ponytail didn’t respond.

Amanda tried again but this time, she neared the maid and waved her hands.

“Good morning?”

The maid, wide-eyed, almost immediately pulled her headphones out. “Oh shhi...eez, I’m sorry, I didn’t notice you, Madame O’Malley. Good morning too.”

She lowered her head and attempted an ill-timed, unpracticed curtsy.

Amanda just smiled at her and tilted her head. “Just call me Caitlin please and don’t be formal. I prefer you to act normal Miss...”

“I’m Arissa. Arissa Lee, Madam-ahh...Miss Caitlin, ” the maid corrected quickly.

Amanda raised her hand for a handshake to which the latter accepted, albeit hesitantly.

“Don’t be stiff. Loosen up. I’m no guest in this castle.”

“Uh, you are Miss Caitlin, ” Arissa stated, “As per Sir Jerome’s words.”

Amanda crossed the space and went to her luggage lying on the floor next to the vanity mirror. She squatted and opened it, careful not to spill the contents.

“Yes, speaking of him, where is he by the way?”

The maid seemed taken aback. “Oh? He didn’t tell you?”

Amanda cocked a brow at her. “No. Why? Where is he?”

But then a knock on the door sounded catching both of their attention.

“Good morning Madame O’Malley, ” greeted a pixie-haired woman wearing a below-the-knee pencil skirt, printed blouse with ruffles, and a thin-framed reading glass. She had visible wrinkles in her eyes, most likely of old age, but she didn’t look senile at all. She admitted herself in the room and bent her head by the time she was a couple of paces away from Amanda.

“Uh, good morning too, ” Amanda replied after standing up. “But please, do call me Caitlin.”

“I’m sorry, but I cannot do that Madame. You are, as per Jerome’s instructions, a special guest of the Family. I am permitted only to be formal with you.”

Amanda sighed. “I see. May I know your name please?”

“Lady Varsha Granger, at your service.” She bent her head again.

To Amanda, this submissive action could only mean one thing: the woman may be the next-in-command, second to the Head Majordomo. Her overall aura actually was a giveaway clue for it.

“Jerome isn’t available for the time being, so I’ll be the one to supervise your stay here, ” Lady Granger informed. “Since Master Cord failed to brief you about the rules of the house last night, he ordered me to tell you now. He said that you may be his guest here, but you are still expected to respect and follow the rules.”

Amanda crossed her arms over her chest. She was still in her bathrobe, her hair still damp and she literally had no knickers on, but to get it over with, she sat at the edge of the bed and said, “Enumerate them then.”

Lady Granger gazed at her from head to bare feet and said, “I suggest you change first Madame. I can tell you then while you’re eating breakfast.”

This produced a wide, relieved smile from Amanda. “Thank you.”

She pulled out a comfortable get-up to wear from her luggage: a denim shirt, black jeans, and black ankle boots and for ten minutes, she readied herself inside a walk-in closet connected to the bathroom. She applied light make-up and tied her hair up in a high ponytail for a clean look - something that she had been accustomed to doing on normal days.

She settled in front of the coffee table for her breakfast and the governess didn’t waste time enumerating all that she needed to discuss with her.

“As the Master mentioned, he forbids you to roam around unaccompanied.” Lady Granger stood up straight in front of Amanda, no note in hand, only a mental list of the rules of the castle having known it by heart.

Amanda quietly drank her cranberry juice.

“You are not allowed to enter the Family wing and that is the North wing of this castle Madame. You shan’t wander around the castle at night. You shan’t wander in the gardens at night too. Basically, stay in your chamber at night unless summoned by the Master.”

Amanda’s brow drew up. What does she mean by that? Another daunting dinner with him perhaps?

“When you need something, call for your maid-in-waiting, ” the governess continued and then gestured for the one mentioned standing close behind them.

“This is Arissa, your new companion, as Dayana is...indisposed of as of the moment.”

“Hmm? Why? What happened to her?” Finally, Amanda broke her silence. She had just met the sweet girl yesterday night yet she already felt a strong sisterly connection with her.

Lady Granger shook her head and pulled a firm expression. “That’s also one of the rules Madame. You aren’t allowed to question the comes and goings of the people here. As much as possible, keep your observations to yourself.”

Amanda wasn’t let down with the warning. “I just want to know if she is fine.”

“She is fine, ” was the latter’s only answer.

“Oh, then that is a relief to hear.” Amanda felt rudely cut-off but didn’t linger on it. She diverted her sights on the fresh bowl of blueberries, picking one and then slipping it inside her mouth.

The governess smiled, contented that Amanda didn’t push through with the Dayana topic.

“Anyway, I will leave Arissa to take care of you. Do you have anything else you need from me, Madame?”

Amanda looked up and smiled at her. “Nothing at all Lady Granger, but I want to ask if I can tour the interior of this castle and its gardens? It would be a great way of killing the time since, you know, I’m practically imprisoned here.”

Lady Granger bent her head. “No problem at all Madame. Arissa here will accompany you.”

“Right, ” Amanda nodded on the maid’s way.

***

The governess left thereafter. Amanda finished her breakfast and after checking her cellphone for messages or miscalls, she left with the maid by her side. Matteo texted her informing about his intent on talking with Chief Moretti. Amanda only replied a good morning and a thumbs up icon on him. Noman also texted, but only greeted her a good morning and a heart emoticon. She sent him back the same.

“I work here as a part-time maid, day-shift. I needed the money for my college fees soon, ” Arissa answered when Amanda asked about her employment status inside the castle. They strolled out of the second floor hallway and into the grand staircase, intending to reach the main foyer where they will start their tour. “Actually, all staff you will see today are day-shift employees of the castle. We have night-shift maids too, chefs, and utility personnel. They take care of the castle matters during the night.”

“During the night? What do you mean by that?” Amanda cocked a brow.

Arissa stared side to side, looking cautious before replying, “The Vitalis Family seems to prefer doing their activities in the evening, Miss Cait. They don’t like the sun. My co-workers said they are allergic to it.”

Amanda released a quick amused breath. “Allergic?” she parroted.

Arissa drew her brows up. “Yeah, weird right? Maybe that’s one of those diseases most people of royal blood gets like hemophilia.”

“Maybe, ” Amanda answered, noting the word that the maid just used. “So you think they are royals huh?”

Arissa instantly nodded. “Yes, I’m one hundred percent sure of that Miss Cait. I haven’t really seen all of the family members but the ones that I had a lucky chance of catching a glimpse like Master Cord, Master Calvin, Master Trace, Mistresses Heather, and Pamela are extremely beautiful people. They have faces that only those of royal blood have.”

“Wow, ” Amanda stopped and looked at her playfully, “Are you a royal fanatic perhaps?”

“Ah, no, ” the latter shook her head. “I believe that there are many things more important than looks and popularity Miss Cait. I’m just a little bit awed by this family since I started working here four months ago.”

“Mhm, I see, ” Amanda replied and then went to divert her attention on the grand staircase. “So, where are you going to tour me first?”

“What are you interested in Miss Cait?” Arissa fired back.

Amanda contemplated for a moment. “Books, ” she answered initially, “I like reading books. Thrillers and Sci-Fi specifically. I also love extreme sports. Mountain climbing, skiing, kayaking to name a few. I do some fencing too. I enjoy eating more than cooking, but I’m at my giddiest when inside a kitchen. But why are you asking me this Ris?”

“Well, it’s my way of evaluating where I will take you first, ” Arissa replied with a chuckle. “As you can see already, the castle is surrounded by mountains. A few miles away from here, there’s a raging river, so I can take you there when we have the time since you like kayaking. With regards to fencing, we have a gym in the first basement where you can try different kinds of sports. We have a basketball court, tennis and badminton court too and of course, the fencing ground.”

Amanda blinked, surprised by how the maid became a lively chatterbox.

“I can take you to the grand library on the third floor later, but since you mentioned the kitchen, I can show you the state-of-the-art kitchen that this castle boasts!”

She grabbed Amanda’s elbow and then pulled her towards another hallway of the second floor — the thought of going to the main foyer forgotten.

“Where are we going, Ris?” Amanda shouted in her front.

“I’ll show you the best kitchen ever. It is located at the back of the throne room, ” Arissa replied as she continued to walk, her face looking ecstatic.

Amanda’s mouth dropped. “There is a throne room here?”

But of course, there would be. This is a castle for heaven’s sake.

“Yes, there is, ” Arissa informed in her carefree voice, ” One that Master Cord always stays.”

By the mere mention of the Master’s name, Amanda stiffened. Since last night, she concluded that it was better to avoid the man as much as possible, but by going straight into the throne room, there was a big possibility she’d be running straight into him.

“I...I think we shouldn’t go there, ” she murmured as the pace of her steps slowed.

The maid just shrugged her shoulders and continued to pull her by the arm. “Don’t worry Miss Cait, it is not prohibited at all.”

“Er, that’s not my concern. I think it is better we go to the library first.”

But it was already too late. Arissa released her arm and skipped playfully to stand in front of two imposing doors.

“Here we are!” she announced, smiling from ear to ear.

Amanda gaped at the sight of it and felt the beginnings of heat in her face.

The maid turned and grabbed the doorknob intending to open it, but she frowned.

“Oh, it is locked. Weird.”

Amanda grabbed this chance. “How about we—”

“Let’s try the servant’s passage Miss Cait, ” Arissa interjected. She hastily grabbed her arm again and said, “Come!”

There must be a good reason why the maid was this persistent of bringing her in the throne room kitchen, so Amanda just sighed and decided to let herself get dragged along.

They passed by a spacious corridor lined with picture frames on the wall. Oddly enough, for a servant passage, there wasn’t anyone present.

By the time they entered the kitchen, Amanda was quick on expressing her admiration.

“Oh wow.”

She scanned the whole space of the room, examined the efficient, functional, and high-tech appliance readily available, and traced the corners of the luxury granite and marble countertops.

“See? Isn’t this kitchen A-MA-ZING!” Arissa exclaimed behind her.

Amanda smiled and nodded on her way.

“Yes, it is, but where are the staff?” she asked, finally having the commonsense to bring the subject up.

“Oh, them?” Arissa leaned against one of the wall-mounted fridge, picked a walnut from a basket full of it behind her, and popped it inside her mouth. “Only the night-shift maids, the chef, and Sir Jerome get to come here. Master Cord only comes in the throne room at night. It is morning, so they aren’t here. Oh! Do you like some juice Miss Cait?”

While chomping the nut, she speedily turned around and opened the fridge she had leaned earlier.

“Ah, no, no. Thank you.” Amanda shook her head, ultimately dismissing the thought of the Vitalis Master and how he was currently in a different place other than the throne room. She stared at the contents inside the fridge and caught sight of something weirdly different from the rest of the bottled liquids.

“Wait. What’s that?” she asked, pointing her eyes straight into the perspiring hourglass-shaped container.