Zoey felt more and more nervous in the brief moment that she stood staring at the door waiting for Quentin to bid her entrance. She was worried that he would send her back down to satisfy the kitchen staff and that she would be in for worse because of her refusal. Still, she had followed his orders and she had to believe that she would not be punished for it. When she slipped into the room she stood trembling slightly as she watched him simply dismiss her in favour of his work. After a moment, she worked up the courage to speak.<br/><br/><span style="color: indigo">"Master... I-I do not mean to interrupt you but I wished to tell you something. When I went down to the kitchen and asked the staff to start on your supper as you requested they... they said that they would not start until I "did" them. Not the head chef mind you, just his helpers. I respectfully declined as you told me to simply deliver your orders and not to dally in returning. As I have been punished for taking my own initiative without your instruction I chose to return to you as ordered. I j-just wanted you to be aware of the situation."</span><br/><br/>Her eyes searched his face for an indication of his mood and she began to shake more at the memory of all of the pain she had suffered. She had done what he had asked, but she was still terrified that she had done wrong. More than that, she was terrified about the cost of doing wrong. She just stood there, feeling like she had as a child about to be scolded for not paying attention to her tutors. Although then she had just received a stern lecture and with Quentin she had to fear his devious mind and the creative and horrible punishments he came up with. She silently prayed that he would at least not send her back to make amends with the kitchen staff. They would surely be keen to show Zoey her place after her earlier confrontation with them.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>