Aesthete Taste

Emma brushed the strand of her blonde hair away from her eyes. It was the day she had been dreading for weeks now. She could still hear every word her father told her when she found out she was being sold to the clan. As he explained it, there was no other choice. Being desperate and still having the rest of the family to support, he chose what he thought was best. Emma brushed the strand of her blonde hair away from her eyes. It was the day she had been dreading for weeks now. She could still hear every word her father told her when she found out she was being sold to the clan. As he explained it, there was no other choice. Being desperate and still having the rest of the family to support, he chose what he thought was best.

Emma sighed softly as she sat down for a moment, surely the coach would be there any second to pick her up. She looked around for a moment, taking in her surroundings. The house wasn’t much, but it was where she was raised and her family was there. Suddenly, her father entered the room, “It’s time.” He said quietly, avoiding Emma’s eyes. He lead her out the front door where a stage coach was stopped. It was silent, which was strange for their family. Emma gave her father one last look before she was ushered into the coach.

---

Matt was taking a break, he had managed to get some alone time which didn’t happen very much. Being that he was next in line for the thrown in his clan people were constantly after him. It didn’t matter what the issue, they turned to Matt. Of course, he had been preparing for it, he was still a bit overwhelmed now that it was finally happening. So when he found the opportunity to get a little bit of space, he took it. That was how he found himself outside of the castle. Most of the issues that were being presented were small and easily handled. Matt was almost dreading when something drastic would happen. While he had confidence in himself, being in control of the clan was a big step.

As he took his time walking through the village, Matt looked around. It wasn’t like he hadn’t been there before, but every other time he was being rushed. He had the chance to just relax today and that was fine with him. His walk was suddenly interrupted when he ran into someone. Startled, he composed himself and quickly looked to see who it was. Rolling his eyes slightly as he realized who it was, Peyton Haner. The daughter of his rival, “What are you doing out here?” He questioned as he took a step back.

@ BBBibles

@ foREVerYours.
The light was dimly flickering around the soft drapes, his eyes trained on the black surface watching as the draft cause ripples of chaos. The light beams increasing here and there before vanishing all together. But a strong suction sealing out the light as his door was pushed open. “I thought I told you to have someone fix that damn curtain.” He softly growled out. His voice thickly coated with sleep. He’d been trying for hours to ignore the light pouring into his room. But the moment the sun was up the it had been enough light to disturb his sleep. However being cranky wasn’t new to him. In fact ever since his father announced he was next in line for the throne everything seemed to set him off. His constant need for perfection never being satisfied as it was him allowing others to do the jobs. Something he was never and would never get used to. It was just like the maid who was now standing in his door way. Her brow raised at him, because she didn’t give a shit for his horrible attitude. “I did, it’s not my fault they don’t come when I call.” She quipped back at him. It was one of the many reasons he liked her. She known him since his birth and had always taken care of his cleaning. She was the only one ever allowed in his room. And it was one of the main reason why he expected her to have things fixed. She was trust worthy, and she knew how he liked things. “Now get you ass out of that bed.” She told him her tone of voice only making him laugh. But none the less he complied with her order. His tired eyes moved from the woman to his dresser, quickly pulling out clothing for the day. Then setting off to the bathroom to bathe and dress.

---

Moving through the streets she tucked her small frame into an alley way, keeping herself low and hidden from sight. Her eyes moving along the road she just ventured off of, watching as two guards split up rushing a head. It wasn’t easy loosing the men her father sent to accompany her. But she never got to do anything alone say her father felt she was an easy target. Her small appearance making her look meek and mild. But her brother however had made sure the training she received prepared her for bigger opponents. And gave her sense to know when to flee. But she’d never been able to ever tell if the training was beneficial. Slipping from her hiding spot she moved back onto the street moving in a direction away from the guards. It wasn’t her first time slipping away, and they were getting better at finding her faster, but she was always changing up her tactics. Strolling along the side walk sighed feeling free for the time being. No constant reminder of the limited time she had, no directions being pushed on her. In fact she’d been so caught up in just enjoying the sights and her free time that she’d neglected to pay attention to where she was going. Only for her body to collide with a much larger one.

Pulling herself back together she peered up at the man she’d collided with, her eyes subtly widening. Her flight or fight senses telling her to run. However her curiosity pulling at her as she furrowed her brow and tried to figure out just who this man was. She knew she’d seen him some where before but couldn’t quite place it. And even as his words were spat at her she still felt unsure of who this man was. “I was walking until you ruined it.” She replies, her words coming out almost to sweetly. Though she was on guard for what ever was to come.

Emma stayed silent as they left her home and headed toward the village. She was terrified, the thought of this day as it got closer scared her to no end. Now, being in the coach, she felt herself getting more and more afraid as they proceeded to move. Knowing that she was on her way to the clan to become their new maid, Emma hung her head. The ride seemed to drag on and on as nothing but empty land passed by. Suddenly, they were passing by buildings and Emma knew that they had entered the village. She was dreading when they would reach the castle. Just as the thought crossed her mind, the coach came to a stop. Emma was lead out of the coach and up the steps of the castle. They stopped at the doors, “Once we enter the castle, do not speak unless spoken to and one of the other maids will show you everything you need to do and how to do it.” He opened the doors and lead her inside, “You’ll be staying with the other maids, those will be shown to you later. Right now, let’s find who you’ll be working with.” He said as he lead her up the stairs.

---

Matt hadn’t expected to run into anyone and he definitely didn’t think he’d end up running into Peyton Haner. He’d never met her before, but he knew who she was. Matt had been friends with her brother, Brian way back when they were kids before any rivalry started between their families. That had been some time before Peyton was born. Matt had heard all about her from his father. Matt remembered Peyton’s mother when she had been with his father. He never forgot his father’s reaction when she left, Matt always figured that after his own mother passing and then being cheated on, his father couldn’t take it. That was when the rivalry started, “I could say the same thing. I’m surprised your guards let you out of their sight.” He said, raising an eyebrow, “Unless you ditched them...”

@ BBBibles

@ foREVerYours.
Stepping from the young master's room Ophelia patted down the apron attached to her waist. She was running a little behind, having to deal with Brian's laziness this morning caused her a bit of a delay. However being the head maid she never had to answer to anyone, unless one of her maids stepped out of line. But making her own schedule and sticking to it made it where she was able to head home for in the morning and spend what little time she had with her own children. Turning into the kitchen she frowned when she didn't see a new face. They'd agreed that she'd be kitchen staff during the afternoon and then at night she'd be helping the cleaning staff with their chores. Huffing out a sigh she turned and then made her way through the castle. It seemed that the person delivering her didn't understand the hierarchy of the castle. Maid were only to use the back entrances which lead straight to the kitchen she was bustling trying to find her before she was chastised for doing something she was unaware of. "Oh thank heavens, there you are." She breathed out a sigh, before grabbing the young woman's arm and pulling her quickly towards the kitchen. "We've got so much to do and so little time." She waited until the were tucked behind the kitchen door before she slow herself down and let the you girl take in her surrounding.

---

Peyton rolled her eyes when he basically threw her words back at her. It wasn't very original, but she didn't feel like she shouldn't say much as they were enemies. And making him mad could ultimately be a rather large issue. So talking her way out of any situation would be ideal. However something about him just had her wanting to just be a giant smart ass. "Well seeing as there isn't much of a threat they weren't needed." She told him, her words were complete bullshit, but the smile on her lips could easily give way her smart ass remark. It wasn't often she met someone from another clan, and it was kind of exciting. Even if she was completely terrified by the man standing before her, something in the way he carried himself displayed just how powerful he was.

Emma was completely overwhelmed by her new surroundings. She was relieved when another woman grabbed her and pulled her back to the kitchen. Once the door closed, Emma calmed down slightly. She wasn’t nervous if she was introduced slowly. Emma quickly learned the head maid was Ophelia and she told Emma her duties. Working in the kitchen and cleaning up pulsing be so bad. Emma followed Ophelia’s instructions, quickly going to work in the kitchen. She was used to doing just about everything at home with her family so being in the kitchen was comfortable for her. Of course she would have to get used to the new setting and the more royal side of things.

---

Matt knew there was no way they would let Peyton out on her own so he knew her guards were somewhere looking for her. It probably wouldn’t be too long before they found Peyton. He raised an eyebrow when she said there wasn’t much of a threat so there wasn’t a need for the guards. “That’s awfully brave of you, not being afraid to be out here by yourself,” Matt told her. He wasn’t threatening her, just trying to get an idea of what was going through her head. It wasn’t a very good idea for her to be out in the village without any protection, there was no way of knowing who could be waiting for her.

@ BBBibles

@ foREVerYours.
Ophelia had left Emma to do her duties in the kitchen returning to her own duties. However she'd been avoiding the young sir's room. He'd yet to leave it and it was starting to get later in the day. Sighing she knew that she was going to break the rules this one time, but she'd have to train the new girl some how. "Emma," she called waltzing into the kitchen. She smiled at the young woman, her heart felt for the girl, but she couldn't let it get the best of her. "Come on to the next tasks of the day." The more maids there were the more luxurious time they'd all get. However it wasn't till work was done that you could enjoy it. "I'm going to show you what is expected of you while cleaning rooms. You are only allowed to enter this room once and you can only observe." She instructed her, before opening the door to her master's room. A soft frown appearing on her face as she took in his figure splayed out over his bed. A few books laying across the sheets. "Sir I've put it off as long as I can, but now I must clean the room." She told him, putting her best act on, knowing she couldn't banter with him while there was someone else watching. "I'm training today." She informed him knowing that he wasn't going to like it. But her boss was his father and she was the one that was required to train.

Huffing out a sighed, Brian was about to retort with his smart ass remarks. It was until she said she had company that shut his book and sat up. "Well then I'll leave you to it." He told her standing from his bed and moving to the door. "The books on the bed just put them on the desk, I'm not finished with them." He told her, before swiftly exiting his room. He's eyes catching the young woman as he walked past. Her small frame shrinking out of his way. However what intrigued him was the smell she put off. Most women's blood made him turn his nose up. It usually smell dirty, almost tainted. He normally got his blood from a regular donor, it was typically drawn and he didn't have to seen who they were. But the blood was sweet and didn't make his skin crawl. Knowing it was only a matter of time before she smelled like the rest he didn't bother, but keep walking.

---

Peyton frowned hearing his words. "The same could be said about you." She snapped back at him, "though since you are a big strong man no one bats a lash. But no little ol' me and it's like the sky is falling." Rolling her eyes she scoffed shaking her head. "But it's guys like you who make my dad shake in his boots, thinking of all the things that could happen to me." She said not really caring how immature or bratty she sounded. But for some reason her words just kept falling from her lips. "But what can you do?" She questioned, rhetorically. However her words could be taken as a bit of a challenge to him.

Emma hadn’t expected Ophelia to come back and take her to do another task. She followed her quietly as they walked down the hall and stopped in front of the room. Her eyes widened slightly when Ophelia opened the door and revealed the man laying on his bed. Seeing him get up, Emma quickly stepped to the side as he left the room. She watched as Ophelia moved his books to the desk and tidied up around the room. Emma remembered Ophelia told her to only observe. The room wasn’t much of mess as it was so Emma didn’t think it would take all that long. He seemed to keep his room pretty neat from the looks of it, just a few things out of place here or there. Emma watched as Ophelia finished the room and lead her back to the hallway, closing the door behind her. “What’s next?” Emma questioned quietly, wanting to keep up with the daily tasks.

---

Matt was surprised by Peyton’s words, clearly he had struck a nerve with her. “Guys like me?” Matt questioned, getting a little defensive. “I haven’t done anything, I simply asked you a question,” he responded. Hearing her question what he could do, “Really?” Normally he wouldn’t let it get to him, but the tone of her voice and the way her words sounded like a challenge. Matt couldn’t believe how bratty she sounded, but he couldn’t help finding himself interested in her. “There are guys out here that are a lot worse than I am,” he told her, really trying to compose himself again.

@ BBBibles

@ foREVerYours.
Ophelia finished cleaning Brian’s room, before stepping out with the young girl. “Well once all the rooms are cleaned then we go down for dinner and then it’s off to bed with you.” She said. It sounded like it was a breeze however there were over a hundred rooms. All which were to be cleaned. She smiled at the young girl. “Why don’t we head back down to the kitchen. We’ll start the hands on training tomorrow.” She told her. Knowing she had other duties she had to get to today and training was putting a big damper on it. “You’ll be asked to do different duties each day. So tomorrow being laundry day will be the prefect day to start you.” She smiled at her before letting her slip back into the kitchen.

---

Peyton scoffed when he took offenses to her words. “Yes guys like you.” She told him. “You’re obviously the brawn not the brain.” She sighed, before motioning to his sizes compared to herself. “Larger guys, ones that make other small men feel emasculated.” She told him, before smiling at him. Knowing it might not be the best idea to piss him off. But for some reason he remind her of her brother attitude and it made her want to continue pushing his buttons. “And I doubt it scum is scum.” She said trying to get under his skin more. However she was only playing around as if she really wanted to fight him she’d have already taken the opportunity to do so.

Emma followed Ophelia out of the bedroom and into the hall as she listened to her explain. Hearing her mention going back to work in the kitchen, Emma nodded, “Okay.” She followed back to the kitchen, before she started helping again she listened to Ophelia. Emma smiled slightly, “Okay, thank you.” She was glad that Ophelia was being nice, it calmed her nerves if only for a few minutes. Getting herself back into reality, Emma quickly went back to helping around the kitchen. She helped with the food preparations and went to help set up the table for dinner.

---

“So just because I have muscle means I don’t have a brain, that makes sense,” Matt rolled his eyes. She was getting under his skin, just slightly. He laughed softly, “Oh so now I’m scum?” He questioned, raising an eyebrow at her. He looked her over, “So you’d be able to handle yourself if some other guy tried to attack you?” Matt asked, knowing she was confident that she could handle herself. He was even starting to get the feeling that she was trying to get him riled up.

@ BBBibles

@ foREVerYours.
Brian sighed as he paced his study, it was one of the few rooms he visited as of late. Today was just packed full of disappointing news. First it was that his sister has slipped away from her guards. And next had him stuck in his house instead of out searching for his idiotic sister. They were expecting a visit from one of their rival's advocates. He'd been instructed to handle the mater of their trades. So for now he was stuck he worried about his sister, and hoping that any issue could all be resolved with in the day.

---

Peyton couldn't help but let out laughter. "I mean if the shoe fits, right?" She smirked at him. "Though I didn't say that you did." She smiled sweetly up at him. Chuckling to herself as she noticed his subtle change in demeanor. "I mean I can't say that for sure I'd come out on top, but I won't go down with out a fight." She smirked, knowing just how dirty that sounded. It was something she'd picked up from her brother. Even though he was super up tight there were days she was able to make his walls fall and pull an entirely different person from him. It was getting harder to do so as he was constantly stressed about taking his father's place. It however made her slightly happier to have run into Matt. Even though her thoughts had previously been about fighting with him. She couldn't help but take in all of him, and he wasn't bad on the eyes. "Though it seems you know me, and I haven't the faintest idea who you are." She told him honestly, wondering just who he was. It was exciting having run into him, though now she felt incline to get to know a bit about him.

Emma was doing her best at keeping up with her duties. She was back in the kitchen, helping the other maids finish the meal for the evening. Once the food was finished, Emma was lead back into the dining room to finish placing the dishes. There was a lot of busy work going on before they would serve dinner. Emma was called back into the kitchen to clean up.

---

Matt smirked slightly at her attitude, seeing her smile he couldn’t help thinking she was attractive. As she mentioned not knowing him, Matt shook his head, “You wouldn’t know me. Your brother and I used to be best friends, but that was before you were born.” He could remember all the trouble they had gotten into together before the split. “I’m Matt,” he told her. Matt grinned, “So, how long are you usually able to avoid your guards?” Obviously she had done this before and Matt was curious.

@ BBBibles

@ foREVerYours.
Brian sighed as he sat down, his eyes closing as irritation seeped into him. He knew that things were going to be difficult. But he was uncertain just want this man wanted. One minute he was open for trade but then the next, he was outraged at the proposal. Brian was at his wits end, and had a feeling that it was just this particular man that made things so bad. Maybe Brian had killed one of his kinsfolk, or embarrassed him at a party in the past. But whatever it was the man seemed to have a personal vendetta.

---

Peyton frowned when he said he was a friend of her brother, "just how old are you?" She asked with out thinking. "Scratch that I don't want to know." She said putting her hands up and shaking her head. She knew how old he was if he was a friend of her brothers, old enough to know more that she did. And it wasn't a smart idea to tangle with him like she'd thought. "It depends, some times I can avoid them for years." She smirked being a smart ass, if she never left the house she'd never have to see them. "But really it's a game of cat and mouse, if the mouse is smart it will avoid the cat a all cost." She smiled at him, knowing that she had yet to answer his question.