Juliana continued to bark orders, forcing Leila to lug around the heavy bags filled with her purchases. Leila only managed to pick out a few items, just a couple of dresses and some shoes, all handpicked by Juliana, which were dull and far too mature for Leila's age.
As the day dragged on, Leila wished fervently for it to end so she could retreat to her room. If it weren't for Lady Helen's feelings, she would have gladly left this arrogant brat behind. "Stop dragging your feet and help me carry these!" Juliana shouted.
Honestly, why was she putting up with this nonsense again? Just as Leila was lost in her thoughts, three young ladies strolled by, their eyes lighting up as they caught sight of Juliana. "Juliana! What a coincidence to see you here!" one of them exclaimed, her voice full of enthusiasm.
Juliana turned to face them, and in an instant, the sinister expression that had marred her features moments before vanished, replaced by an innocent, delicate smile that embodied the essence of a perfect lady. Leila couldn't help but be amazed at how quickly she could switch her demeanor, as if she were flipping a switch.
"Olivia, Mary, and Anna! What a pleasant surprise to see you all at the market!" Juliana exclaimed, her tone dripping with sweetness.
Leila watched as the three girls gathered around, their laughter ringing in the air, completely oblivious to the tension that had just filled the space moments earlier.
"Yes!" one of the girls in a striking red dress chimed in as she approached with her companions. "We're here to do some shopping for the upcoming banquet at Duke Colin's mansion. I heard the duke is searching for a suitable partner for his eldest son and heir, Henry. Are you also shopping for the banquet?"
Juliana smiled gently, her demeanor softening even more. "No, I will take care of that another day. The banquet is still five days away, so I'm sure I'll find something suitable to wear by then," she replied.
Leila's mind began to race as she heard the name 'Henry.' It sounded familiar, but she couldn't quite place it. She racked her brain, recalling snippets of conversations she had overheard in the household. The maids often whispered about Henry Colin, one of the most eligible young bachelors in town.
Tall and handsome, he was known for his friendly demeanor and charming smile, traits that made him the envy of many. He came from a prestigious noble family, which only added to his allure.
In Marshvale, it was the dream of every noble young lady to secure a marriage with Henry Colin. The whispers among the maids suggested that Juliana, too, harbored secret feelings for him.
"I wonder who will be the lucky lady to end up as Henry's bride," said the girl with the blonde curls, her eyes sparkling with dreamy anticipation.
"Juliana here would have been a perfect match for our dear Henry, but sadly, she's already engaged," Olivia remarked with a playful giggle, her tone laced with mockery.
A glint of mischief flickered in her eyes as she continued, "Who knows? Maybe I willl be the one to capture Henry's heart and become his lucky bride."
In an instant, Juliana's gentle facade nearly shattered under the weight of Olivia's spiteful words. Her fists tightened at her sides, a storm brewing behind her composed exterior.
However, she quickly regained her poise, the smile returning to her lips as she replied coolly, "I would never marry that old man."
"I heard he's stubbornly refusing to break off the engagement. Good luck getting that annulled!" the blonde girl said, sympathetically as she leaned in closer.
Juliana was engaged? And to an older man, no less! The news struck her like a bolt from the blue, leaving her both astonished and curious about the circumstances surrounding such an arrangement.
Despite the outward appearance of friendliness among the three girls, Leila could sense the palpable tension in the air, like gunpowder waiting for a spark. There was an underlying hostility that simmered just beneath the surface. Juliana maintained her composed demeanor, but Leila could see the subtle shifts in her posture and the flash of emotion in her eyes that hinted at her true feelings.
As the dynamic unfolded, Leila stood behind Juliana, holding the heavy bags that seemed to weigh down the air with unspoken words. With a lazy smile on her lips, she felt like an amused spectator at a play, enjoying the unfolding drama. The subtle jabs and veiled insults exchanged between the girls created a charged atmosphere that was almost electric.
"Who is she? We've never seen her before," Olivia finally noticed Leila, her finger pointing at her.
"This is just my new handsmaid," Juliana replied smoothly, not even flinching as she delivered the lie.
A handsmaid? Leila was speechless, being reduced to a mere servant in the eyes of these girls.
The girl, who had remained quiet until now, broke her silence. "She doesn't seem like a servant to me. Just look at how cocky and arrogant she is. You should really train her better," she said, her eyes narrowing as they scrutinized Leila.
Juliana smiled, but Leila could see the tension in her posture as she replied, "Yes, of course. I will." The smile was tight, and a flicker of resentment flashed across her face, directed squarely at Leila. Confused, Leila blinked in surprise. What had she done to earn this hostility? Shouldn't she be the one feeling angry for being treated like a servant?
The atmosphere grew even more strained as Olivia, sensing the discomfort, decided it was time to leave. "Well, we will be going now. See you at the banquet!" she declared, her tone light but with an underlying edge.
Leila stood rooted to the spot, watching as the three girls sauntered away, their laughter fading into the distance. Were all nobles this arrogant? The question nagged at her mind, a stark contrast to her own humble upbringing.
As soon as the trio was out of sight, Juliana's smile evaporated, replaced by a scowl that marred her delicate features. "Wait for me here. I will be back soon," she said tersely as she turned on her heel and strode away, leaving Leila alone.
Leila obeyed, though a sense of unease settled over her. She stood there, grappling with the flood of information she had just absorbed. Who was Juliana engaged to? The thought of an unfortunate man having to endure someone as volatile as Juliana intrigued her. What kind of man would put up with such arrogance?
As the evening deepened, she grew impatient Where could Juliana have gone? The streets were growing quieter, the bustling crowds of earlier dwindling to a mere trickle.
Determined to find her, Leila decided to retrace their steps. She meandered through the marketplace, peering into shops and alleyways, hoping to catch a glimpse of Juliana among the shadows of the evening.
Her eyebrows shot up in surprise as a strange thought flitted through her mind. No, it couldn't be... The young girl hastily made her way back to the spot where they had left the carriage. Her suspicion was confirmed. The carriage and the coachman had vanished without a trace.
Juliana had left without her, abandoning her in the bustling market, a place completely foreign to her. The heavy bags weighed down her arms, a stark reminder of her predicament. She needed to find her way home before it got completely dark.
Her expression darkened as the impulse to throw the bags aside surged. "Damn it!" she exclaimed, wanting to let out a string of curses.
Feeling weary and defeated, she ultimately decided against discarding the bags. With a deep breath, she steeled herself and began to navigate the unfamiliar streets, determined to find her way back to the Williams manor.
"Excuse me. Do you perhaps know..." she ventured, attempting to catch the attention of a passerby. But her voice was drowned out by the sounds of the market as people hurried past, lost in their own worlds.
"Hello. Can I..." she tried again, her voice tinged with desperation. The woman she approached merely glanced her way before turning on her heel and walking away, leaving her feeling more isolated than ever.
Leila pursed her lips in frustration, feeling a sense of urgency creeping in. This wasn't getting her anywhere. Glancing up at the overcast sky, its heavy clouds looming ominously above her, a shiver of anxiety washed over her. She hoped it wouldn't rain; the last thing she needed was another downpour to complicate her day.
Just like in Brokley, it was also raining in Marshvale. How she despised the rainy season especially at a time like this
The young girl strained to remember the path they had taken. "It must be this way," she murmured to herself, determination flickering in her chest.
Summoning her courage, she set off in that direction, the weight of the bags pulling at her arms. As she moved forward, she quickly realized she had stepped into a dense forest. Had they really come through a forest? Leila racked her brain, trying to visualize their journey.
At night, the forest transformed into a realm of shadows and whispers. The trees towered over her, their gnarled branches stretching out like skeletal fingers against the dark sky. The wind howled softly, causing the branches to creak ominously, while distant owls hooted, their calls echoing through the stillness. Leila walked cautiously, her senses heightened as she scanned her surroundings, every rustle sending shivers down her spine.
As she ventured deeper into the forest, her heart began to race, each beat echoing her growing anxiety. Suddenly, the sound of footsteps reached her ears, heavy and deliberate, echoing through the underbrush.
She spun around, her breath hitching in her throat, and her eyes widened in terror as three rough-looking men emerged from the shadows. Each of them brandished a dagger or knife, their eyes glinting with a predatory gleam that sent alarm bells ringing in her mind.
Instinctively, Leila took a few steps back, her heart pounding in her chest as the realization of her perilous situation settled in. The air thickened with tension, and she knew she had to think quickly if she wanted to escape the tightening grip of danger that surrounded her.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" One of the men sneered, his eyes raking over Leila's slender form and the heavy bags she was carrying. "A little lost lamb, all alone in the forest."