Chapter 236: A much needed talk
"What brings you down here on such a bright and beautiful morning?"
Madame Arumina’s voice was the only one that rose as she approached Arabella.
"I hope I am not disturbing," the young woman shifted a little in her standing place, "I’ve always wanted to see the kitchens and its occupants but never found the courage," she smiled sheepishly, her cheeks flushed.
"May I see your hands?" the head maid stopped right before Arabella’s figure and readjusted her round glasses on her nose.
"Oh... Yes,"
She did as told and lifted both hands, allowing Arumina to inspect them. The older woman did not shy away from taking them, flipping them around and rubbing her own fingers against Arabella’s skin.
"Well, you certainly aren’t disturbing, but you do not belong here. I can tell you that," her piercing gaze abandoned her hands in order to focus on the young woman’s face. Upon noting the puzzled look plastered on her however, she elaborated, "No cuts, no calluses, no bruises... I assumed you never worked a day in your life,"
"No. I am afraid I haven’t," Arabella lowered her head and her tone as well.
"Not that there is any shame in that, of course," Arumina turned around and started walking away, "I am sure your talents lie elsewhere, but why don’t you tell us the real reason you came down here?"
"The real reason?" her eyes snapped back onto the head maid as her mouth remained a little agape.
Ada and the other maids did not seem more clued in than her. Their irises kept on flickering between Arabella and Arumina until one of them spoke again.
"I am sure you wanted to see the kitchens and meet the rest of us, but you also wanted something else, didn’t you? So go ahead,"