Maria hurried to the kitchen, her footsteps light on the floor. She knew better than to keep Master Cecil waiting, especially when he was in one of his moods. She prepared a plate of fresh bread, cheese, and some fruit, making sure everything was perfectly arranged.
As she entered Cecil's room, she saw him sitting on the bed, looking rather pale. "Here's your food, Master Cecil," Maria said, trying to sound cheerful. "I brought some fresh bread and cheese, just as you requested."
Cecil looked up at her, his eyes narrowing slightly. "About time," he said, his voice cold. "I was starting to think you'd forgotten about me."
Maria kept her expression neutral, accustomed to Cecil's sharp tongue. "I apologize if it took a moment, Master Cecil. I made sure to bring the best from the kitchen's stores."
Cecil's gaze lingered on the plate before he began eating, his movements deliberate. Maria stood there, waiting for further instructions or permission to leave. The silence in the room was palpable, punctuated only by the sound of Cecil's chewing.
As Cecil ate, his mind wandered back to the potentially poisoned food. He was taking a risk by eating again so soon, but he needed to keep up the act. The bread and cheese tasted bland compared to the rich flavors of the dinner he had vomited up, but he ate nonetheless, his thoughts consumed by the danger that lurked in every corner of his life.
As Cecil finished his snack, he glanced up at Maria, who still stood by the bedside, waiting for further instructions. For a moment, their eyes met, and Cecil felt a flicker of trust. Maria was one of the few people in his life who didn't seem to have an ulterior motive.
"Maria," Cecil said, his voice a little softer than before. "I think I'll be fine for now. You can leave."
Maria curtsied slightly. "Yes, Master Cecil. If you need anything else, please don't hesitate to ring."
As Maria turned to leave, Cecil's thoughts turned to the food. He realized that having Maria prepare his meals might be the safest option. She had been loyal to him for years, and he trusted her implicitly.
"Maria, wait," Cecil called out, a plan forming in his mind.
Maria turned back to him, a questioning look on her face. "Yes, Master Cecil?"
"From now on, I'd like you to prepare my meals," Cecil said, his eyes locked on hers. "I don't want anyone else handling my food."
Maria's expression was unreadable for a moment, but then she nodded. "Of course, Master Cecil. I'll make sure to take care of your meals personally."
Maria left Cecil's room, her mind preoccupied with the unusual request. As she walked back to her own quarters, she couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. Why would Master Cecil suddenly want her to prepare his meals personally? It wasn't like him to show such concern for his well-being.
Maria's suspicions grew with each step. She had seen Master Cecil's pale face and knew he wasn't feeling well, but this request seemed...different. Was he trying to protect himself from something, or was there something more sinister at play?
As she entered her small room, Maria's eyes scanned the space, her thoughts still with Cecil. She had been loyal to him for years, but she couldn't help but wonder if there was more to this request than met the eye. She decided to keep a close eye on Master Cecil, to see if she could uncover the reason behind his unusual behavior.
Maria sat at her small desk, quill in hand, and began to write a letter to the Duke, Cecil's father. She hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to phrase her concerns, but her loyalty and worry for Cecil's well-being propelled her forward.
"Your Grace," she wrote, "I am writing to you with great trepidation, but I fear something is amiss with Master Cecil. While he still exhibits his usual... prickly demeanor, I have noticed a change in him that I cannot quite explain. His behavior seems...off, and I am growing increasingly concerned for his safety and well-being."
Maria chose her words carefully, omitting any mention of the day Cecil had broken down in tears and apologized to her. She had promised to keep that moment a secret, and she intended to honor that promise, even from the Duke himself.
"I humbly request that you consider visiting or sending word," Maria continued. "I fear for Master Cecil's health and sanity. Perhaps you might discern what is troubling him."
With a sense of relief, Maria finished the letter, sealed it, and dispatched it to the Duke, hoping that her concerns would be taken seriously and that Cecil would receive the help he needed.