She couldn't distract herself from the boy after all.
Beatrice released a long breath and stood up from her chair. Lisa, unable to understand what was going on with her Young Miss, trailed along silently. Exiting the perfumery, Beatrice approached the boy who was sitting on the opposite side of the shop, near an alleyway.
The child did not notice the woman who had approached him. He just sat silently, crouched over his knees, his mind blank. For days now, he had only one wish; to not be found out by those people. He deliberately cut his long hair, smeared grease and filth all over his body and dared not utter a single word for the fear that someone would recognise him. Due to his appearance, people, commoners and nobles alike, would give him coins or food sometimes...he wasn't starving at least.
Beatrice towered over him, the child still did not pay her any mind. Is heblind? She couldn't think of any other reason as to why the boy did not react to her. She took in his appearance, his body was frail, but it didn't look like he was starving or had been on streets for long, his hair was cut irregularly and his face was especially covered with grime and dirt the most. Did he run away from his home?
Beatrice shifted her gaze to his hands. His fingertips were stained green — the particular kind of discolouration that only came from daily handling of herbs and raw botanical compounds. Her interest was piqued.
"Boy, do you have anywhere to go?" The child still did not pay her attention. Beatrice glanced back at Lisa. Lisa understood and crouched down to the child's level and shook him. The boy, surprised, whipped his head towards the person who shook him and then noticed Beatrice standing. In a panic, he started to crawl back. Beatrice narrowed her eyes, she didn't particularly like to be treated as an antagonist when she didn't even do anything.
"Boy, I asked you something. Do you have anywhere to go?" Her voice which sounded sweet did not match her eyes. The child was scared; were these people here to arrest him? Did someone recognise him? Was he being taken back to the apothecary? He stood up, ready to run for his life when Lisa held him by his hand, stopping him from fleeing.
Beatrice walked towards him slowly, her steps deliberate. The boy was genuinely scared — silent tears cutting through the grime on his face. She stopped before him, her expression carefully neutral, and looked down to meet his eyes.
"I am giving you an offer. If you have nowhere to go, follow me." She paused for a second and then turned away, already walking. "The choice is yours."
Lisa, too, left the boy's hand and followed Beatrice's lead.
The boy stood there stunned. Should he follow the noble lady or not? If they wanted to arrest him, he already would have been in chains. What if he does follow her and regrets it later? He saw Beatrice and Lisa walking away. Should he really let this offer slip away from his hand...?
No! He thought. It is better than wasting away like this. For how long can I hide from them? They will find me one day or another. I have nowhere to go. Isn't this like a blessing to me?
Without another word, he jogged towards them. Beatrice heard him coming. A small smile bloomed on her face. It would have been a shame if she hadn't noticed his potential.
Lisa, who carefully took the boy's hand, was smiling as well. Her heart was warmed by Beatrice's kindness. She had not failed to notice that her Young Miss had slowed down her pace while walking away!
Together, they went back to where their carriage was parked. The footman helped the three of them board the carriage and they rode back to the Estate.
---
The boy was utterly overwhelmed. He had never been inside a carriage as luxurious as the Lady's. The seats were cushioned and were soft like feathers and the ride wasn't bumpy at all! Was this mundane for the nobles? He shifted in his position, cornering himself more. Such opulence was making him uncomfortable.
The ride to the Estate was silent. They soon reached the gates of the Cornwell Mansion. This time, the butler did not receive them. It made it easier for Beatrice, she wont have to explain the situation with the boy. The child stood there, awestruck by the grandness of the mansion.
"What is your name, boy?" Beatrice pulled him out of his daze.
"I-I am called Zalek, Miss." The boy stuttered. It had been days since he last spoke.
Beatrice nodded at his answer. "Lisa, take Zalek to the kitchen. Inform the Head Chef that he will start working there. Also, bathe him and feed him. I'll be going in first."
With that, she did not look back and entered inside. Several things weighed on her mind. The Earl had yet to reply — she knew he was away on business and that waiting was the sensible thing to do. Still, each day that passed without word made her restless in a way she couldn't quite shake off.
Worse still, newspapers being her only reliable source of information was a pressing issue. Establishing her position in the faction she had decided to support would prove to be near impossible if she was unaware of the political atmosphere in the Empire; same would be the case for inheriting the title of Countess.
She had no one she could rely on in the mansion either. Servants were no fools — they knew where the power sat in the house and acted accordingly. Lisa was no exception. Beatrice had no way of knowing whose side she was really on, and until she did, she couldn't afford to assume.
I am, by every practical measure, alone.
Her feet carried her through the hallways towards her study on the west side without her having to think about it. Force of habit.
Inside, she settled onto the sofa near the fireplace, resting her head back. Closing her eyes, she started to plan things out. The ground work to see if Lisa was loyal to her had already been laid out. There was no point in testing the butler. Even though he did not show it, Beatrice instinctively knew that the old man wasn't keen on picking sides, and if he had to, his choice was obvious, Herrace.
The news that she brought in a child today will spread like wildfire throughout the mansion. It was certain that he will be alienated by the other servants since he was directly recruited by her. For Beatrice, this situation could turn out be in her favour. What would happen to a child who is estranged in a new environment? He will look for people who will sympathize with his situation. And who else would be better than Beatrice herself?
With a deep breath, she opened her eyes, the corner of her mouth curving into something satisfied. Things were going to be interesting from now on.