Jenna and Mabel glanced at each other and sighed. With the look on everyone's face, it was certain Harriet had already told them something.
"Who is the bastard that touched you? I'm going to kill them," Bruno clenched his fist, his jaw ticking in the process.
Harriet held Bruno's hand, "We have the hairpin, but we don't know who it is."
Percy walked further into the room, "Mabel, where was the last place you remember? I can help; I have a few trusted friends that can..."
Jenna raised her hand and sighed, "I don't think Mabel wants the entire village to hear about it. Let's calm down a little and breathe."
Mabel dropped her shoulders, her eyes staring at the ground in shame. It felt even worse for the girl knowing that others knew what had happened to her, and she wished to disappear at the moment.
"What about the hairpin? We can find someone with it... I know the woman who sold the hairpin that night," Harriet suggested to her mistress.
Jenna turned to look at Mabel and the girl shook her head, signaling that she didn't want any of that.
"Harriet, let's talk about that maybe later?" she tried to be subtle with her gesture. "For now, let's prepare dinner and give Mabel some time to rest."
Percy grabbed Mabel's hand and squeezed them gently, "We are always here for you, and you know our mistress will do everything to protect you. Right?"
Mabel nodded, "Y-yes, thank you Percy."
Percy nodded and stepped aside. Bruno walked forward and nodded without getting any closer.
"No matter what, I will always respect you as my big sister, Mabel, and I know good things will always come for good people."
Harriet made a little jump before hugging Mabel, then she kissed her cheek, "Mabel, my only sister. Mabel," she hugged her tightly.
Mabel chuckled, trying to stifle her laugh at the girl's childlike attitude, but she returned the hug.
Jenna watched from the side the way her workers all acted like a family, and it warmed her heart. They were all people coming from a place of hurt and heartbreak. To fill that sadness, that was why each time they were at their lowest, they picked each other up in hope for a better time.
One family, united in hurt and sadness. It was easier to console and comfort a familiar ache. That was the house of Lady Jenna.
Henri, who was still standing by the door, rubbed his neck and mumbled a comfort word only he heard.
"Okay, let's prepare dinner now," Jenna clapped, "Since I'm in a good mood, I will make dinner."
Bruno raised his hands victoriously, "Yes! Mistress only makes dinner on special occasions." He grinned from ear to ear, "I should go tell Rhane about it," the boy disappeared through the door in search of Rhane.
Percy and Henri didn't wait around; they quietly exited the room, leaving the women alone.
Mabel removed her hairpin and gloves, "I should help too," she muttered, reaching for her corset.
"No, Mabel, I will help the mistress, you rest today." Harriet suggested, stopping the girl.
Jenna hummed, "Maybe she needs something to keep her occupied. It's okay, Harriet. Mabel can come and help too." Knowing that the girl would spend the rest of the day all alone worrying, it was better to have her occupied. Jenna thought to herself.
Outside the room, Bruno ran around Rhane, chattering at the top of his voice, the young boy's voice filled with energy.
"Our mistress makes the best meal. The first time I ate her stew and bread, I was this little," he showed Rhane with his hand.
"And that is the best meal I have ever had in all my life, I swear to you." Bruno confessed, running ahead in a dance jump. When he almost tripped, Rhane caught him by the neck.
"Thank you, Rhane," he smiled, then continued, "I bet you find her food to be the best."
Percy, who had just arrived, tried to change direction when he saw Rhane, but Bruno stopped him.
"Percy, come and tell Rhane about our lady's meal."
Percy cleared his throat, his eyes darting anxiously, "Bruno... you don't have to say everything you know. Aren't you scared of strangers? You should be. You don't know who might want to bury you alive." He whispered the last words to only his hearing.
The young man had been living in fear since the threat, and he wished others could read his eyes so he would tell them the kind of person Rhane was, but nobody seemed to care. To make matters worse, everyone now suddenly trusted and cherished Rhane overnight, and it made Percy frustrated.
Rhane stopped in his tracks and raised his brows but didn't say a word, his lips quirked up in a cruel smile.
"Rhane is not a stranger but a member of this house," Bruno pouted, then smiled himself.
Percy tried to change the wave of the conversation, and he turned and glanced at Henri, who hadn't said a word.
"Henri, still having a hangover?" he asked.
Henri cleared his throat, "No..." he looked up and sighed, "It's just that the weather is changing."
"It's going to rain," Bruno pointed at the darkened cloud.
A carriage stopped in front of them, and at the same moment, a young man fair as day, tall and sturdy but with the smile of a woman, stepped down from the carriage. His eyes dragged at both ends like a cat's and his nose stood high. Even his lips were very tiny that anyone would worry if he ever used them.
Dressed in a silk white shirt with a flowery design, same as his trousers, the man moved his wooden hand fan elegantly. Two of his servants rushed forward to guard their master's path. The young man's looks were a treasure that should be hidden.
"Who is he..? He looks as beautiful as a woman," Bruno ogled, unable to get his gaze away.
Percy stepped forward, a proud smile on his lips. He gave Rhane a once-over and a lopsided grin appeared on his lips like he had won a battle.
"That is My Lady's man."
Bruno arched his brows, "Our lady has a man? I thought she was..." the boy's voice trailed.
Percy bowed as the man got closer and he nodded, "Of course she does, and she is going to marry him soon." He grinned, watching from the corner of his eyes Rhane, who still stood tall while others bowed to the young master.