Maya watched the wet dress drip onto the floor as it hung off the window. There was only so much her little hands could do to squeeze out the water.
She had expected it to be a little dry by now, but the weather didn’t clear up even after the rain. It only paused for a little while, and she had a feeling it would fall again at night.
She jerked as a knock echoed in the room. Maya slowly made her way to the door, her heartbeat rising. She had no idea who it was, and it was a little early for dinner.
She pulled open the door and couldn’t hide her shock when she saw Palr on the other side. "Palr," she called and stepped out of her room. "What are you doing here?"
"Agnes wants you to make the chicken soup again," Palr blurted out as she looked Maya up and down.
Maya’s mouth fell open. "Why?" Not because she was offended, but rather she was shocked that Agnes would ask that of her.
Palr narrowed her eyes. "Alpha Keenan requested it. You don’t have to help if you don’t want to," Palr said and turned around as if to leave.
"No, that’s not it. I’d love to help."
Palr turned back around and narrowed her eyes at Maya, staring at her suspiciously. "You’re the High Alpha’s daughter, right?"
Maya froze at the question. "Um, yes?"
Palr scoffed and started walking. "You don’t act like it," she mumbled under her breath.
Maya winced and shut the door behind her. It was not the first ti she had heard that. Maelle constantly reminded her she wasn’t the High Alpha’s daughter, and Alaina insulted her nonstop.
She pushed the sad thoughts from her mind and walked toward the kitchen. Keenan had asked for the chicken soup even though he didn’t know she was the one who made it. She was really glad it was good enough to be requested.
There was still a hint of a smile on her face when they arrived in front of the kitchen. Palr quickly opened the door.
"She is here, Agnes," she announced as she walked in.
"Agnes," Maya called excitedly.
Agnes’ displeased gaze glanced in her direction and Maya’s smile fell. The cook gestured for her to co closer.
"I heard you wanted to make the chicken soup again," she softly said.
From the corner of her eyes, she could see the maids whispering and glancing in her direction.
"Palr, get her an apron and mobcap," she ordered, then turned to Maya. "Yes," she said coldly.
Maya nodded and stopped in front of the counter, accepting the apron and mob cap. She could sll chicken soup from the covered pot that lay on the counter, but it wasn’t quite like the one she had made.
She could tell Agnes didn’t want to call for her, but she was glad she did. At least even if she didn’t want to, the cook trusted her.
"Everything you need is here," she stated, spreading her hands over the top of the counter to show her.
Vegetables, cut-up chicken, and all the spices she needed lay on the counter.
She nodded and walked around to the hearth and got to work. Agnes didn’t leave her side; she watched Maya like a hawk would watch its prey.
It was easy to ignore her overbearing eyes as she concentrated on what she had to do. Knowing that Keenan had personally requested it made her happier than she could put into words.
Maya was halfway through cooking when she heard a voice. The maids kept coming and going, so it was hard to keep track of the doors opening and shutting.
"Mother, is that a new cook? I thought you didn’t allow anyone but you to cook?"
"Arlo, what are you doing here? Dinner isn’t ready yet."
Agnes turned away from her to look at her son who was standing on the other side staring at them.
"Arlo?" Maya instinctively said and turned around.
"You!" He yelled and took a step back, his eyes wide.
Agnes frowned. "You know each other?"
"I don’t," Arlo spat out.
"How’s your head?" Maya softly asked.
"That was a long ti ago. There’s no way it would still hurt," he said and glared at her, then turned to look at his mother with a puzzling expression.
"I am glad," Maya said with a smile and returned to cooking.
He narrowed his eyes at her and was about to speak again but caught his mother’s expression. "I will co back," he said and stomped out of the kitchen.
"He looks just like you," Maya said with a chuckle as she stirred the soup.
Agnes’s face hardened. "I would have lost him if the Alpha hadn’t gotten control of the mines."
Maya froze. She had been a little happy about the interaction and had forgotten. "I am sorry," she mumbled. She didn’t think there was anything else for her to say in this situation. Agnes had made her intent clear.
"The soup isn’t going to cook itself," Agnes muttered coldly.
She nodded and stirred it again before stepping away from the pot. The soup needed to simr for a little while. She fought not to think about it and about why Agnes would not accept her apology. Not that she wanted that, but it still hurt.
"Just what is going on here?" Alaina yelled as she burst into the kitchen. Behind her was Bess with a smile on her face.
"Alaina, what are you doing here?"
"I hear you’re letting the traitor cook, Agnes," she said and marched to the counter.
Maya imdiately stepped away from it to put space between her and Alaina, but at the sa ti to also protect the pot.
"You let her cook before," Agnes replied.
"And you helped her. No one asked you to do that."
Agnes glowered at Alaina but was in no mood to argue. "It’s almost ti for dinner, Alaina. Your interruption will delay us."
"My interruption!" Alaina laughed. "You have the woman who gave Alpha Keenan his scar cooking for him. What do you think would happen if he were to find out?"
Agnes looked at Alaina with an unimpressed expression. "Well, then he will know you weren’t the one who cooked it last ti."
Alaina’s eyes darkened. Before anyone could react, she snatched up the container of salt, tore off the lid, and emptied it into the pot.
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