The Devil's Temptation!

237 A Mask They Put On..

“Here’s the soup Milady.” Agnes dropped the tray on her bedside table, and took two steps back away from her.

Anna sat up on the bed, she looked at the soup that was evaporating with heat, followed by the pleasant smell that came along with it, signifying it was still hot, but that was what she needed right now to ease her system. Too bad she had to run into Lady Odette and instead of pleasing the elder lady of the house, she ended up heightening the feud between them. Just hopefully, Lady Odette will take her advice this time around and understand she means no harm.

Carrying the tray and placing it on her lap, Anna used a spoon to fetch a spoonful before taking it into her mouth. She didn’t mind the hotness, she liked the feeling of it burning her tongue, and feeling the warmness go down her throat was unusually satisfying, but apart from that, the soup actually tastes good.

“It’s very nice.” Anna complimented before taking another spoonful into her mouth, and a glowing smile etched itself of Agnes’s lips as she lowered her head further, feeling happy that Anna enjoys the soup she made.

“I told you you’d find it appealing, I’m glad you like it.”

“When you said medicinal, I thought it’d be something bitter,” Anna guiltily admitted, “I was already having second thoughts but this isn’t bad at all, you’ll have to teach me how to make one.”

“Teach?” Agnes looked at her, her eyes widening with surprise.

Anna nodded, “yes, just for situations where you might not be around.”

“As long as you have no problem learning from the hands of a maid, then I’ll gladly teach you.” She sounded delighted to teach Anna, that way Anna can take the soup, and it won’t only ease her system, but help her keep her powers stable.

.....

“No need to sound like that.” Anna looked at her, finding it to be normal, “I was once a maid myself, I worked as a maid in two kingdoms, so I understand your point.”

“A maid??” Agnes sounded shocked, and Anna gave a slight nod in response, “yes, it’s a long story, but my point is, you don’t have to be so formal with me, I get the feeling you’re a very nice person, and you’re older than me, I just want mutual respect from the both of us, and all will be fine.”

Agnes understood what Anna was trying to say, and she kept her expression polite, but on the inside, she was nearly tearing up due to how thoughtful Anna was. If only her powers didn’t awaken all of a sudden, Anna won’t be feeling weak all the time.

“I wish the other woman had a mentality like yours.” Agnes added, remembering how she was nearly slapped today by that vicious woman, but even though Odette was rude and went out of line, Anna didn’t know if she should blame anyone of them for it, even Gretta.

“I guess my situation is because I understand how your mind works,” Anna’s shoulders relaxed, “I’ve been in your shoes before, I’ve been treated harshly myself, so it’s much easier for me to have a mentality like this. But I can’t say the same for them.” She folded her arms, “they grew up where money can never be scarce, peer group is another reason they act this way towards the lower standards, and they’re Demons as well, they have everything, but not even money can provide them the happiness they seek, even if they fake it.”

Anna doesn’t know their history, at least not all of it. Everyone has their own trauma in life, even if they never showed it. Like Roshan for example, one could rebel him with the word evil without knowing what made him that way. As for Levi, he always smiled, and was ready to cheer others up, but for the first time, she saw tears and sadness in his eyes.

Gretta, it appeared she was raised to become a troublesome demoness, either that, or she’s merely jealous of the love and attention she gets. Anna didn’t know what word would be better to emphasize the whole Astaroth family. To her, their current expression is just a mask they put on to hide their actual feelings.

She was starting to wonder if the people outside were like that. Roshan made a statement when she rode past Viscarrian for the first time, something about how things aren’t always as they seem, and now, she was curious to see how everyone lived on the outside.

Noticing Anna was drifting too deep into her thoughts, Agnes decided to break the chain of whatever she was thinking about.

“I agree.” Agnes finally said something, snapping Anna’s attention back to her, “you can’t judge without knowing what someone has been through in the past, but I’ll admit that the woman earlier is just naturally rude.”

Anna half-chuckled, noticing the displeased look on Agnes’s face, “you shouldn’t say that out loud, walls have ears you know, and I can’t save you if you’re found guilty.”

“Understood,” Agnes got the information, “please finish your soup.” She said, bringing Anna’s attention back to her meal, and she nodded, taking another spoon of it.

“I was going to finish it without you having to tell me, it’s that good.” Anna complimented further as she continued to fetch a spoonful, leading Agnes to smile at how easy it was to converse with her.

The hotness had reduced a bit, making it easier to go down her throat, and now she regretted letting her tongues burn.

“When you’re done, do get some rest.” Agnes suggested, but now that she said it, Anna didn’t feel like resting anymore.

“I’ve lost interest,” she admitted, finishing her soup and putting it away, “I want to do something else.”

“Something...else?”

Agnes wasn’t expecting Anna to change her mind already. Her forehead furrowed in curiosity as she picked the tray from the side table, wanting to return it to the kitchen.

Did the soup work that fast?

“What do you want to do?”

“Tell the Coachman to get a carriage ready, I want to ride across Viscarrian today.”