Ch#25
“Don’t be scared in advance. Since they’ve been pre-washed before storage anyway, you can just focus on scrubbing the moldy spots and rinse the rest roughly. Plus, being spring curtains, they’re much thinner than the winter ones.”
Celia spoke positively as befitting her spirited personality, but even pre-rinsed curtains needed wringing and hanging. It was impossible without help from Celia and Laila.
*I feel like Celia and Laila are getting in trouble because of me.*
But what more could she do?
Edel had always been compliant with Marsha. She respected her as head maid and swore she’d never once lorded her noble past over her.
Marsha simply hated her out of inferiority and twisted pride.
*It’s not like I can erase the past.*
Her breath felt hot escaping her nose and mouth, but Edel deeply inhaled the cold air and dunked the curtains into the tub.
*Spoils of war*
*Duchess*
“Celia, Laila. You two handle the other laundry first. Mrs. Bohen will probably check that first.”
“But washing 150 curtains isn’t something one person can do!”
“I know. I’m sorry, but without your help, I won’t even be able to hang them. And Mrs. Bohen surely knows that.”
Truly written by Lemon Frog
Edel hiked her skirt up to her waist and tied it, then stepped barefoot into the tub. Her toes felt frozen by the icy water, but she gritted her teeth and began stomping the curtains vigorously.
“She’ll probably come check on me soon to see if I’m washing the curtains. If you’re helping me then, who knows what she’ll nitpick next.”
Celia and Laila ground their teeth but agreed with Edel. They knew exactly what Marsha was like.
“We’ll finish the other laundry as fast as we can and come help. You look unwell today too—take it easy.”
“Thank you.”
Celia ladled some of the limited hot water—barely enough for three or four buckets—and placed it by the tub for thawing her frozen feet in between.
The warmth from her newfound colleagues gave Edel some strength.
.
The chilly laundry room soon filled with sounds of drawing water, pounding laundry, and the sloshing of stomping curtains.
But Edel was skeptical of Laila’s opinion.
However, as time passed, Edel’s breathing grew increasingly ragged. Her head spun, and her strength ebbed. Inhaling cold air made her nose and throat ache so much that even breathing hurt.
*Mrs. Bohen assigned this knowing I’m sick. I hope she doesn’t say anything to Laila.*
“Edel? Edel!”
Worried but unable to actively stop Laila. Her vision was starting to spin.
Edel was stomping in a daze when Celia’s call snapped her back to reality.
Her hopes that the cold water would cool her fever proved futile. If anything, her illness worsened.
Just as Laila said—like she’d die clinging on.
“.....Huh?”
Celia tried pulling the pale, sweat-drenched Edel from the tub.
“Are you okay? Your face is way too pale right now.”
“I must’ve stomped too hard. Whew......”
“Edel, come out first. Sit and rest.”
“Just this much more.”
She tried laughing it off, but Laila approached with a frown and placed a hand on Edel’s forehead.
“Why are you so hopeless? Rest a bit, then pretend to work when you hear her coming.”
Laila had been washing in cold water too, so her hand was shockingly cold.
“…….Mrs. Bohen would see right through that.”
“Laila! Your hands are too cold. Are you okay?”
Celia pounded her chest in frustration at Edel’s concern.
Laila yelled incredulously.
“She’s just a maid at the end of the day! Why worry so much? Plenty have quit because of her, but they all found jobs elsewhere and are doing fine!”
“Edel! It’s not my hands that are cold—it’s your forehead that’s burning!”
Celia meant no harm. After months together, she’d come to see Edel as just another maid like herself.
“What? Edel, you’ve got a fever?”
Edel forced a smile.
“Yeah, Celia! It’s not just warm!”
“Celia. I’m a prisoner. I can’t quit even if I want to, so it’s best to keep on good terms with the head maid.”
At Laila’s words, Celia rushed over too and touched Edel’s forehead.
Her hand froze midway as she reached for Edel’s arm.
“Oh my god, this is serious! Edel, with a fever this bad, why didn’t you say something sooner?”
“Ah.”
Edel couldn’t respond to Celia’s worried scolding. Celia soon realized her own foolish question.
“Thank you. I’m always grateful you treat me like any other maid.”
“Who could speak freely to that ill-tempered hag plastered with meanness? I get it.”
Her eyelids burned so hot it felt like her eyeballs would cook, but Edel smiled and resumed stomping.
“Still, even she wouldn’t want me to die. Wait here—I’ll go tell her.”
Grateful that the pre-washed curtains didn’t dirty the water no matter how much she stomped.
And right then, the laundry room door burst open as Marsha stormed in.
Laila wiped the water from her hands on her apron and dashed forward boldly.
.
