Bambi And The Duke

Disownedforbeingahuman,VivianwastakeninasamaidattheageofsevenbytheCarmichaelhousehold.ServingoneofthemostrespectedandelitepurebloodfamiliesinBonelake,therewererules.

Rulesthatmustbefollowedbyallservantsandmaids.

Likeeveryoneelse,Vivianwasrepeatedlyremindednottodisobeytherules.Butbeforeshecouldlearntoblendintothebackgroundliketheotherservants,theDuke'syoungsoncallstoher,

“Bambi.”

Andallhellbreaksloose.

-----

“What?Neverseenabruisebefore?”Leonardscoffedatthegirl.

“Doesithurt?”Vivianasked,gentlykneelingbesidehimandexaminingtheseveralbruisescoveringhisface.

“Notthatmuch.”

Rememberingwhathermotherusedtodowhenshegotabruise,Vivianbroughthersleevetohermouthandblewwarmaironitbeforeplacingitontheboy'scheek,takinghimbysurprise.

Leonardswattedherhandaway,ahintofpinkappearingonhischeeksembarrassed,“W-whatareyoudoing?”

“Mamatoldmethiswillmakethepaingoaway,”thegirlheldherhandclosetoherchestasshesharedherpastmemory.

“I’mnotachild!”Leonardhuffedather.

“Idon’tthinkyou’reachild,”shestaredathimwithacrystal-cleargaze.

Takenaback,Leonardlockedeyeswithherfortwosecondsbeforeshakinghishead.

“Don’tworryaboutit.They’llhealinadayortwoanyways,”hereassuredherbeforegettingupandtakingaseatatthetablewherehisbookswereplaced.

“Oddgirl,”hemutteredtohimselfashepulledthetopbookfromthestackandlosthimselfinit.