Meanwhile, on the other side of the Palace of Versailles, Beaumont escorted Audrey through the regal halls to her assigned quarters. His demeanor was polite and formal, and his words were delivered in a clear and professional tone.
"We have reached your room, Mademoiselle Audrey," Beaumont announced, gesturing towards a door down the corridor.
Beaumont unlocked the door and held it open for her, allowing her to step inside first. As she entered, Audrey was greeted by a modest yet comfortable chamber. The room was brightened by the natural light flowing in from a large window adorned with soft drapes.
A small but cozy bed stood against one wall, covered with a clean, neatly tucked sheet and a warm quilt. A wooden dresser and a small table were placed across the room, providing the essential items for Audrey to carry out her duties.
"I hope the room meets your needs, Mademoiselle Audrey," Beaumont said with a friendly smile.
Audrey turned to face him, gratitude is evident in her eyes. "It's perfect, thank you," she replied, genuinely appreciative of the accommodation provided for her.
"I'm glad to hear that," Beaumont responded warmly. "Should you require anything during your stay, don't hesitate to let us know. We aim to ensure your comfort while you care for the children."
Audrey nodded, feeling reassured by Beaumont's kind offer. "Thank you, Beaumont…and thank you for this opportunity you have given to me," Audrey expressed her gratitude sincerely.
"Ah, don't worry about it. I just want to help the lady I served decades ago," Beaumont replied with a hint of nostalgia in his voice.
"I'll do my best to ensure that the children of the First Consul are well taken care of," she said earnestly.
"I have no doubt about that," Beaumont replied, nodding appreciatively. "Now, there are a few things I'd like to go over with you regarding your responsibilities and the children's routines."
"As the caretaker, you'll have access to the children's wing, the kitchen, and certain areas of the palace. However, for security reasons, please refrain from venturing into restricted zones," Beaumont emphasized. "Especially near the office of the First Consul."
"I understand," Audrey nodded understandingly.
"Now, onto the children's routines. They typically wake up early in the morning, and their breakfast is served at the dining hall on the ground floor. Once they have finished eating, Francis, the son of the First Consul, would usually stay in the library to read while Aveline, the daughter of the First Consul, spends some time in the garden before commencing their lessons."
"I see," Audrey said, mentally organizing the daily schedule in her mind.
Beaumont continued, "After their lessons, the children would spend time on their hobbies. Francis is studious, so he would return to the library to pursue further studies. Meanwhile, Aveline would spend the rest of the afternoon practicing and honing her musical instrument skills."
"During that time, you'll have the opportunity to tidy up their rooms, make their beds, and attend to any other housekeeping duties," Beaumont explained. "You may also assist them with their studies or provide any necessary support during their lessons."
Audrey nodded, taking in all the information as Beaumont continued to brief her on her responsibilities.
Beaumont continued. "As for their meals, they'll have lunch and dinner in the dining hall at specific hours. The palace kitchen staff will provide you with the menu, and you'll supervise their meals to ensure they eat well". "Lastly," Beaumont added, "you'll be expected to accompany the children during their outdoor excursions within the palace grounds. Do you have any questions before I leave you here?"
Audrey nodded, appreciating Beaumont's thorough explanation. "No, I don't have any questions at the moment. I feel well-informed about my duties and responsibilities," she replied confidently.
"Excellent," Beaumont said, pleased with Audrey's readiness. "If anything comes up or if you need any assistance during your time here, feel free to reach out to me or any member of the palace staff. We're in this together."
"I'll keep that in mind," Audrey said with a smile.
Beaumont nodded, satisfied with their conversation. "Very well, Mademoiselle Audrey. I'll leave you to settle in and get acquainted with your new surroundings."
Thank you, Beaumont. I'll do my best," Audrey replied gratefully.
With a final nod of encouragement, Beaumont excused himself to attend to his other duties. Audrey, on the other hand, stood in her new quarters, taking a look around the cozy room. It had been twelve years since she last stayed in a proper room.
Moments later, she started unpacking her belongings, putting her clothes neatly into the wooden dresser. She carefully arranged her few personal belongings on the small table, making the room feel more like her own.
After that, she sat on the bed, and she felt a sinking sensation underneath. The bedding was soft and comfortable, reminding her of the days when she used to sleep in a proper room.
Audrey pushed aside her nostalgia and focused on the present. She knew she had an important job to do – taking care of the First Consul's children. As she sat there, she mentally rehearsed the children's routines and the responsibilities Beaumont had outlined. She was determined to excel in her new role and prove herself worthy of the trust placed in her.
But since the First Consul's children were still in their private tutor session, she grabbed a book and began reading to pass the time.
An hour later, there was a knock on the door. Audrey promptly got up from the bed, headed towards the door, and opened it.
There, she saw Beaumont, handing out a brown paper bag.
"Inside of it is your uniform," Beaumont said, handing the brown paper bag to Audrey. "It's a standard uniform for the caretakers here at the palace."
Audrey took the bag and looked inside, finding a neat and practical uniform. "Thank you, Beaumont. I'll put it on right away," she said appreciatively.
"Good, because in ten minutes, the session with the First Consul's children will be over, and you'll need to be ready," Beaumont said.
"I'll make sure to be there on time," she replied, determined to meet the expectations set for her.
With that, she closed the door and donned the caretaker uniform quickly. It fit comfortably and looked presentable enough for her duties. Audrey checked herself in the mirror, making sure she looked tidy and professional.
Exactly ten minutes later, Audrey made her way to the designated meeting area along with Beaumont where the private tutor session would soon end.
A minute later, the door opened. The private tutor and the two children that she would take care of came out of the room. Francis, a serious-looking boy with tousled hair, was engrossed in a book he carried under his arm. Aveline, on the other hand, was a lively young girl with flowing curly hair.
It didn't take long for Francis and Aveline to notice the new household staff, Audrey, standing with Beaumont. Aveline, being the curious and outspoken one, was the first to speak up.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"I'm Audrey," she replied with a warm smile. "I'm your new caretaker. I'll be taking care of you and your brother."
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