Bab 35: Change of plans

Lily hurried inside the Bradford mansion, not caring about the suspicious looks the servants were giving her. 'I need to go to the capital today. I cannot delay this matter any longer. I just hope I will find my answers soon.'

With those thoughts in mind, Lily walked towards the servant quarters, and as soon as she approached the door, she heard her son's voice from the other side. With a frown, she opened the door, the sudden movement, frightening the three people inside. "Nigel," She raised her eyebrows at him, waiting for him to explain his actions, and the man stood up, moving away from Samantha's bed, panicking to see his mother's questioning gaze.

"Mother, I heard about what had transpired at the dining hall and about Samantha. I could not stop myself. So, I came to enquire about her." Nigel replied, observing his mother closely. Lily was sweating profusely, and she seemed distracted, even though her eyes were on him. 'What is wrong with Mother today? What is bothering her?' He wondered, trying to remember all that had happened since the time she left home in the morning.

'She was fine before she left home. Something must have transpired in the Bradford mansion." Nigel looked at his mother before his gaze landed on Samantha. 'Is she worried about Samantha? Is this the reason for her strange behavior?' However, no amount of thinking helped him get the answer he needed.

Lily had not heard a word he had said, and she was still in a pensive mood when she spoke again. "When are you leaving for the capital?"

"Umm, Mother." Nigel cleared his throat, wondering how to tell his mother about his change of plans. He recalled the way she had lashed out at him in front of the guards a few moments ago, and he did not want a repeat of it, not in front of Samantha.

"Yes, Nigel," Lily snapped out of her thoughts and prompted her son to go on. Seeing the man hesitate, she perceived what he was thinking, and she sighed lightly.

"Samantha," Not pressing him further about it, she turned to the girl who was awake and looked well. "How do you feel, dear?" She queried, sitting on the bed beside her.

"I am fine now, Madam Lily." Samantha smiled at her, and Lily was relieved to see the girl in great health. Unlike, the other time when Samantha had remained unconscious the whole night, this time, she had recovered quickly.

"Good. Do you think you can move around, or do you still want to rest?"

"I can get back to work, Madam Lily. I am fine now, although I am not sure why I fainted in the first place."

Itri pursed her lips, listening to the conversation that was taking place between the two women. 'Is something wrong with Samantha?' She wondered, watching the girl carefully. 'This is the second time she fainted in the last two days. Is she sick?' The thought scared her, and she prayed for her friend to be well. 'Why is this incident bothering me?' She bit her lower lip, trying to arrange her thoughts properly.

'When Samantha fainted the first time, she had no recollection about it the next day. But this time, it is not so. She remembers it clearly. What is happening to her, and why does Madam Lily's actions look strange?' Unlike Samantha who was oblivious to Lily's unusual actions, Itri had not missed them. Although the woman tended to the other maids similarly when they fell sick, her behavior towards Samantha was beyond belief. It was as though she was scared about something. 'But what?'

"Itri," Samantha shook her friend to get her out of her thoughts, and Itri blinked in confusion.

"Huh? What?"

"Madam Lily asked you something." Samantha clarified, pushing herself up, trying to sit on the bed.

"Did she? I apologize I was lost in thoughts." Itri's response was not something new to Lily. The girl had a talent for dreaming in daylight with eyes open, and Lily had caught her idling at work, lost in her stupor many times.

"She was asking if we are fine to go to the capital right now?" Samantha's words baffled the girl, and she gawked at Lily, questioning herself if she was now hearing things.

"How? Why? What? I mean..." Itri was perplexed, and she did not know how to answer them. Soon, her perplexity turned into excitement, and her eyes glinted in happiness. "Yes. Can we go, Madam Lily?"

"Yes, you can. Nigel, get the carriage ready. We will be leaving in a few moments." Lily instructed her son, who stood frozen in his place. After his mother's abnormal behavior and clear rejection to take the girls out, Nigel had prepared himself to adjourn the plan for the next day. However, his mother's sudden change of thoughts surprised him, and he nodded, joyous at the sudden turn of events.

"I'll prepare the carriage, Mother." Nigel decided to leave the place before his mother changed her decision again. But he stopped when he recollected her words.

"Mother, what did you mean by we earlier? Is somebody else coming with us?" His question made the two girls glance at Lily.

"Yes."

"Who Mother?"

"Me. I am accompanying you three to the capital." Nigel frowned, not liking his mother's answer. He was already at his limit by allowing Samantha's friend to accompany them, and now, his mother wanted to join them too.

"Is there something you need from the capital, Mother? Tell me. I'll bring it for you." Nigel suggested, trying to sway his mother's decision, not knowing that his mother had seen right through him. Lily smiled satirically, displaying her displeasure to her son.

"Do you not want me to accompany you, son?"

Nigel was taken aback by her question, and he stood speechless, not knowing how to reply to his mother. "No-No, Mother. That's not it. It's just that the weather is quite hot today, and I did not want you to be exhausted."

"I will manage, Nigel. I have some work at the capital, and you cannot help me in this." Lily deadpanned, and the man did not have any excuse to stop her from joining them on the trip. With drooped shoulders, he left the room to get the carriage ready.

'How am I going to spend more time with Samantha with Itri and Mother following us around?' Although he was dispirited, he could only follow his Mother's wishes and do as he was told.

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