Chapter 119: Change (2)
"There was a point in time if someone were to mistreat the maids you would get worked up and curse their name from morning to night. That was before you were made the head maid. Now there seems to be a lack of care on your end and some of the maids have started to do as they like."
"I don’t only need a head maid who helps to keep the manor organised. I need someone who will look after the maids. If that is something you cannot do, there will be a change you will not like," said Rafael.
"I apologise if my actions appear to you that I do not care for them. I do care for my maids. I have to be harsh because of the position I am in," Mavis apologised.
"There is a way to be strict, but still be able to show that they can approach you. If you create all of these rules that place them to not have time to themselves, they will not come to you because they fear you will not care. I do not want to fire you so I hope you can go back to the person you were before you became the head maid. Can you do that?" Rafael asked.
"I can," Mavis promised as she lifted her head to see him.
"Good. Connor, Delilah, or anyone else who will step foot in here, if they ever trouble the maids, I want you to be on the maid’s side. With that taken care of, what did you eat for breakfast?" Rafael asked, curious about what was served for Annalise to have only eaten bread again along was what his mother gave her.
"Yes- wait!" Mavis exclaimed as she realised the question he asked her. She thought he was scolding her about something again. Why was he interested in what she ate? Did she look like she was not eating well? She never skipped her breakfast and because of Jonah’s interest in her, her plate always looked more full than the others.
"There were eggs, bread, a good juice that was prepared for us by the cook, and some-"
"Is there no meat? Like a sausage?" Rafael asked.
"Meat? In the morning? No, it is saved for dinner. The food is carefully planned because of the number of knights to be fed and the servants who stay here. It is something light to start the day and then we shall have meat at dinner. We eat after the knight’s breakfast has been sent out to their hall," Mavis explained, touching her warm cheek as she was warmed by him looking after her.
"I see. I will prepare more to the budget for what the servants will get to eat for breakfast. I will leave Edwin to work with the cook to know how much more will be added. There is a grand hunt coming up soon so there will be a lot of meat from the hunted animals. Let the maids know there will be a feast for their hard work. It will brighten up their mood," Rafael said, standing up from the table he sat on since he was finished with their talk.
Mavis was puzzled by his actions once more. The maids who resided here being given breakfast in the morning and dinner at night was a small offering. There were not too many households that would increase the money spent to feed maids when they could buy other things to show off their wealth.