The Herbwitch's Apprentice Ireen Chau (best life changing books txt) 📖

She barked a laugh. “Don’t tell me you expected to be her lady’s maid,” she said, her lips peeled back in a sneer. In addition to her beaky nose, she had very horsey teeth. “I was told that you are nothing but her personal scullery maid. You will sweep her floors and wash her dishes and empty her chamber pot.”

“I will what?”

My question was ignored. “If you take more breaks than those given to you, Lady Narcissa will personally see to your punishment,” the matron said. “Take it from me, girl. She is not merciful.”

24

After donning the servant’s uniform, I followed Madam Josephine to Narcissa’s chambers. It was a long route with too many twists and turns and staircases to count. By the time we arrived, my feet were aching. I surveyed the ornate rug and cushioned chairs, wishing I could sink into any one of them. Madam Josephine, however, executed a deep, steady curtsy.

“I have brought your maid as you instructed, milady.”

Narcissa didn’t bother turning around. She was seated before her vanity in an elaborate lace gown. Another maid was combing her hair. “You may leave, Josephine.”

“Yes, milady.”

I was almost sad when the woman exited, even when she shot me a glare.

“Amarante. I underestimated how much I enjoy seeing you like this.” Narcissa finally turned around. Her hair fell in silky auburn waves down her shoulders. “Kneel.”

I resented her a little more as I knelt.

“What are you going to do, Narcissa?” I asked warily.

The maid beside her gasped. “How dare you speak to Her Ladyship that way?”

“Karen is right.” Narcissa stood from her seat and glided toward me, her eyes narrowed. “You must remember you are nothing but a lowly servant now. When a servant addresses her mistress in such a way that servant is punished. Stick out your hand.”

I kept my hands firmly tucked behind my back.

Narcissa scoffed. “Still playing strong, are you? You heard Mother loud and clear last night. Serve me or be ruined.”

How could they threaten to slough their crimes onto me when they were the treasonous ones? I wanted to shout at her, but I didn’t. I would have to have a death wish. So I stuck out my left hand.

“You have the hand of a lady. How unfitting,” she said with a sigh. “We’ll have to change that. Bring me a needle, Karen.”

The maid rushed over with a pin cushion full of needles. They varied in length and width, but they were all undeniably sharp. My arm shook as Narcissa selected the thickest of the bunch. She admired the point for a second before pricking the back of my hand and scraping it across my skin.

I cried out. Beads of blood pooled up in the needle’s wake. It wasn’t until I blinked back my tears did I realize she had written something.

NW. Her initials.

Narcissa stuck the needle back into the cushion and wiped her fingers on the handkerchief Karen offered her. “Now it’ll be easier to remember I own you.”

I clutched my throbbing hand to my dress, staining the fabric. She had carved her initials on me like she would on a wooden doll! “You’re demented,” I spat out.

She tilted her head. “Did I not make it easy enough? Stick out your other hand.”

I stumbled back. Before I could express my defiance, a knock sounded on the door.

“Lady Narcissa? You are summoned to the Queen’s Garden to accompany Lady Hortensia and Her Grace for breakfast.”

Narcissa shooed Karen away and grabbed my wrist.

“Very well,” she said to the door. She dragged me around the corner to a fireplace, her strength surprising, and shoved my head into the ashes. My forehead banged against the grate. The charred wood chips digging into my face. I jerked back, eyes burning and mouth full of cinder. I was overtaken with the desire to shout again, and this time box Narcissa in the nose at the same time.

“Enjoy,” she said with a smirk. With that, she glided off to the door.

I sat, nursing the bruise on my head, when Karen placed herself before me.

“Lady Narcissa says you are to listen to me when she is absent,” she said. I suspected that her haughty expression was a rare occurrence, but only because she didn’t have many people she could use it around.

I nodded stiffly.

She pinched my chin and smeared more of the ash onto my face.

“What are you doing?” I said, twisting out of her grasp.

Karen snickered. “Lady Narcissa says you are not to be recognizable.”

I stared. “You know I’m a debutante,” I said, touching my cheek. My fingers came off dirty.

The maid raised an eyebrow. “Yes. But I know you’re nothing more than a merchant’s daughter. You’re hardly worth anything.”

“Is that so?” I said. “Then what are you worth?”

“Insolent girl!” Karen struck me across the face.

I glared, cheek stinging, as the maid wiped her hand off on my dress.

“The chamber pot needs scrubbing. Take it outside and come back for your next assignment. Supplies are in the servant’s hall.”

I found Narcissa’s unnecessarily luxurious chamber pot already empty, but it did not make the smell any less offensive. There was nothing pleasant about my experience as I navigated the palace. I was told by a guard that scullery maids were not allowed to roam the main halls. Apparently, there was a separate web of hallways for servants who did the unpleasant work. The way the guard wrinkled his nose at me clearly meant he thought I was one of them.

He was not entirely wrong.

I wandered the narrower, darker halls for a considerable amount of time before I finally found an exit. Madam Josephine had not shown me the way back, so it took several hours to find the servants hall, raid the closet for a pail and brush, and scrub Narcissa’s chamber pot outside where several other maids were doing the same task. Many of them were stouter and older than I was and went in with gusto with their sleeves rolled up