Read Online Marie's Journey (Ginecean Chronicles) by Monica La Porta - Free Book Online

eyes—with the exception of those situations where the farm rector was involved.
    “When you’re done with your kitchen duty, come up to the infirmary.” Madame Lana had graced the kitchen with one of her unexpected and unwelcomed visits. Now, she was staring at a dumbfounded Marie, who should’ve known better by now and acted smart before the rector. Instead, Marie was silently praying to have understood the order correctly. “Are you deaf?”
    “I apologize, madam.” Marie bowed her head low. “I’m just too happy for—”
    Madame Lana raised her bony hand to stop her in midsentence. “There’s no opportunity yet. First, you must prove I need you out of the kitchen.”
    “Thank you, thank you—”
    Madame Lana’s fingers came dangerously close to Marie’s moving lips, but thankfully stopped before making contact. Marie inadvertently stepped back to avoid being touched by the rector’s cold hand and realized she had probably offended her. Something flickered behind the woman’s eyes, something as cold as her skin. “Finish what you’re doing and go upstairs.” She barked several orders and then left the kitchen followed by two unlucky girls who were responsible for having poured one teaspoon of sugar too many in her coffee.
    The chef smiled a sad smile Marie’s way and she shivered. Chef had just treated the two crying girls with the same show of affection. “I’m going to train as a nurse,” Marie said out loud to test how the idea sounded once worded.
    “The doctor needs a replacement for Carnia, but so far nobody has passed the first two weeks.” Chef shrugged as if she didn’t like to be the bearer of bad news. “Two full months have passed already since Carnia left and the infirmary doesn’t have a full staff yet. Madame Lana—”
    “But she ’s not there often, is she?” Marie had the presence of mind of lowering her voice and avoided mentioning Madame Lana directly.
    Chef covered her mouth with her beefy hand to muffle her words. “She’s everywhere at Redfarm. Lately, she’s driving everybody crazy.” Everybody in the kitchen had heard, judging from the coughing and the unnecessary stirring of wooden ladles inside empty pots. “Don’t worry with peeling the rest of the potatoes. Go wash yourself clean.”
    Marie thanked the chef but hesitated. All of a sudden, the idea of leaving the kitchen—the place she had despised wholeheartedly until a minute ago—didn’t sound as promising as she had fantasized so many times in the last three months.
    “Go, don’t make her wait.”
    “But she was adamant about me finishing my chores…” Marie felt like a child digging her heels on the ground.
    “You don’t know her like I do. Go scrub your skin until it’s squeaky clean and don’t forget to wear a pinafore over your dress.” Chef walked her out, gently pushing her along. “Remember, listen to her, nod, and never contradict Madame Lana.”
    “Yes, ma’am. Thanks, ma’am.” Marie found herself unwillingly thrown out of the kitchen.
    “Don’t waste time, child.” Chef’s words echoed in the hallway and several elders passing by raised their collective brows to stare at Marie. She was on the second floor when running steps reached her.
    “Is it true? You got out of potato duty?” Verena jumped on the step before Marie, forcing her to stop. “It’s true, then. How did you manage?” Something resembling a mix of awe and mischievousness colored the girl’s face.
    “You’re pretty when you think the worst about friends.” Marie couldn’t help but smile. “From what I understand, I didn’t exactly win a prize.”
    “You hate the kitchen.” Verena moved out of the way and they both resumed climbing toward the fourth floor.
    “Not sure I’m going to like the infirmary any better.” Once again, she felt childish.
    “Madame Lana’s been particularly a pain in the—”
    “Nothing better to do, apprentice?” An elder appeared from behind.
    “I was sent to