The Knight's Mysterious Maid

’No!’ Annalise screamed in her head. She would rather take the dress to her room and place it somewhere she would never have to look at it again than go anywhere with Delilah. Delilah was only offering to help to let out her anger from Annalise receiving a dress instead of herself. There would be no one to stop her from doing as she pleased, picking a dress she thought was more fitting for a maid.

Rafael read the sheer look of horror on Annalise’s face. He didn’t know if she realised it, but she was pleading with him with her facial expression to say no. He was almost tempted to send her out with Delilah so he wouldn’t have to deal with Delilah. "That won’t be necessary," it pained him to say since he would be left with Delilah.

"I will keep the dress now," Annalise said, rolling back up with the blanket. The dress was large enough that she could cover her body with it whenever the blanket became dirty. Keeping a dress she didn’t want was much better than going with Delilah to get one she might like.

"I must get back to work now, young master. Thank you for the kind gift," she said, leaving the room before he could change his mind.

Rafael imagined himself being the one to leave the room. His eyes went from Annalise walking away to Delilah who smiled. "Why are you here, Delilah? Did I not make it clear enough last night that nothing would ever happen between us?"

Delilah was prepared for Rafael to send her away. That was why she came up with a brilliant plan for him to allow her to visit frequently. "I have not come here for you, Rafael. I have taken a liking to one of the knights you spoke to last night. The one named Christian. He is a man I would like to know more about. He stood close to me when you left my side"

"Really?" Rafael replied, not believing her words. Better liars had stood before him. Still, he didn’t mind her pretending to show interest in Christian and leaving him alone. "I believe he is on the training grounds. You know where it is, don’t you?"

Delila’s shoulders dropped. She did not want to go alone. "Won’t you be taking me there?"

"Do I seem like a guide? You have been here plenty of times as my mother’s guest so you should have no issue finding the training grounds. Next time, come with an escort or better yet, don’t come at all. This estate is full of men at each corner you turn and you are a lady whose good name would be ruined for coming here alone. Make this your last visit unless you are with your father," said Rafael.

"I believe it will not be an issue. I have been coming here for as long as I can remember. We are like-"