Chapter 27: Trotting in the city
Anastasia's face turned hot from embarrassment, but she swallowed it as she helped Theresa bathe Lady Amara by pouring water from a water mug. After an hour had passed, Lady Amara was dressed and she left the room with her mother.
When the door closed, Theresa returned to where Anastasia was cleaning the bathtub after draining the water. The older woman remarked in a hushed voice,
"Don't take their words to heart, Anna. Some of these people don't know how to treat a person with kindness. They don't understand that your hands are a sign of your hard work, something they never had to do."
In the life of the servants, to be treated like dirt was nothing new. Even though the servants often tried to evade any possible scoldings or punishments, sometimes it was hard to avoid them.
Anastasia mustered a smile and replied, "That's alright. Her words that my hands are rough weren't untrue. Unlike us, she needs to take care of her beauty." She used a dry cloth to ensure the tub was dry.
In the beginning, when Anastasia had first arrived at the palace, the trouble she had initially caused left her with difficult work that had eventually roughened the palms of her hands. It would be a lie if she said that her calloused hands didn't bother her. She knew she was no lady, and belonged to the servant class. The look in her eyes turned distant before she said,
"I think we should worry about what Lady Amara might try."
"You are right. I cannot believe that she's planning to put her hand into the lion's mouth," Theresa murmured before commenting, "I am still surprised that Mary and you didn't get caught. But today you need to be more careful," she warned.
"I will." Anastasia hoped that she would be able to return to the servants' quarters earlier tonight. She then asked, "Auntie, do you know where to find a clean fountain in the palace?"
"You will find them in the gardens. Why?" Theresa questioned curiously. Anastasia gave a sheepish smile.
"I need to dip something in it," Anastasia's answer only confused the older woman.