6 CHAPTER V

Counting the days, it has already been a week since Celestine arrived and started living in the Governor's residence. The season, from the midst of autumn, has finally arrived at its last, the wind getting colder and colder.

Within this week, Celestine spent her time, training her swordsmanship to her heart's content. The time she spent doing so, kept her self patched up, in both her mind, heart, and soul.

She was thankful towards Meira, who has now started treating her as a friend, instead of being stuck in a master and servant relationship.

Though lonely, missing her dear family, she strengthened her heart, and only wished for them to be in their best conditions because, despite her loneliness, she was still living under a roof, a lavish life at that.

Luckily, Roux has left her all alone, but from time to time, is visiting her bringing various gifts. His father, however, was the exact opposite, always giving her amorous gazes whenever they cross sights when meeting, earning a disgusted scowl from Celestine's face.

It seemed like the father and son duo are both busy tending towards their official political problems, seeing that various figures throughout the city kept visiting the Governor's office, the two not being able to make time to relax for themselves, seeing that they have not made any luxurious feast nor invited anyone, except those who are frantically vising the office.

Aside from that, Celestine has not noticed anything too bothersome. She was thankful that she need not to mingle with the both of them during her stay, at least in that way, she can keep her freedom, to some extent.

Each day seemed like a peaceful life, for it was filled with wine and delicious food, as well as her most favorite form of entertainment, dancing, and swordplay. She could repeat to do so, as many times as she pleases. Though Celestine tried, she felt restless not being able to do anything well for herself.

She was not used to this life. She never did anything to make her sweat at a good cause. She was not earning anything but is only further delving into her cage.

Oh, how she missed the buzzing streets of Maylea. Seeing the wonderful smiles of her sisters and guests, hearing the laughter created by the people. She missed the times where she argued with her sisters, later making up, buying clothes at the market. She missed her mother, Tanith. Their bonding, and hearing her voice, her words that contained wisdom.

Here was quiet, far too quiet for her liking. She would rather spend her time at the bustling streets of Maylea with her family rather than stay at this peaceful, yet, humble abode by herself.

Sighing, Celestine finally dropped the sword that she has been holding. Looking up towards the brightly lit stars in the sky.

It was another moonless night.

Feeling relieved, she wiped the sweat on her forehead using the end of her robe.

It was already night, the soft breeze in the air, flowing across her lightly damp from sweat skin. She looked at her newly made friend and smiled, seeing that she was already napping while sitting down at a stone bench. She must have felt sleepy, as she has been training herself for far too long, from the afternoon and now, it was already dark.

She walked towards the girl and lightly tapped her at her shoulder. "Meira, wake up. I'm done for today." Celestine said, whispering. She did not want to startle the girl, seeing as she was already sleeping peacefully but she cannot leave her out here in the cold. She did not want her to get sick.

Waking up, Meira smiled back at her. "At last, you're finally done, Celestine." She said, rubbing her eyes as she yawned.

Chuckling, Celestine nodded her head. "You got it right, I'm done. So hurry up and stand, we're going to eat." As Celestine mentioned eating, suddenly, both of their tummies let out a growling sound.

The both of them looked at each other, before releasing a hearty laugh. They were indeed so hungry. Celestine has been moving around her body since noon while Meira has been waiting for her to finish. They have not eaten anything for a quarter of the day.

"Let's go, it looks like I'm not the only one whose starving." Meira said, smiling, before following Celestine who was leading the way back to her room.

As both of them arrived at Celestine's room, Celestine immediately flopped down to her bed. "I'm so tired." she said, grunting.

Smiling at her friend, Meira replied, "In the meantime, just rest, I will be getting your food now." Before leaving the room.

Celestine fixed her position on the bed, deciding to follow through with Meira's suggestion, however, while waiting, because of her extreme tiredness, she started feeling sleepy and for a few minutes of trying to fight it off, she finally drifted off to her dreams.

...

The scene in front of her played out far too fast.

As the storekeeper approached her, shouting, "You little thief!" Before aiming to throw a rock that he has been holding towards her.

Not knowing what to do, she could only stare at the incoming rock before finally closing her eyes. She did not know what to do but only to stand still and wait for the rock to hit her.

But somehow, it did not happen.

Instead, she felt a warm embrace, the heat, spreading throughout her body, replacing her anxiousness with warmth.

She felt safe.

Opening her eyes, she could see the boy that she was talking to earlier, protecting her.

But why? Why would the boy save her?

Suddenly, she felt the boy's warm breath over her ears, lightly whispering, "Save yourself." She can feel a light shudder flow through her body.

She looked up, meeting the boy's gentle eyes, far from the mocking one that he has given her earlier.

Nodding her head, the boy released her from his arms, giving him one last look, she ran away, not noticing the comb that she has dropped in the process.

She never dared to look back, though she wished that she did.

...

Due to a sudden noise, Celestine woke up from her dream.

She was gasping for a bit, still tired like she felt the emotions running over her body throughout that dream.

Her memories started to rush back in her mind, the boy, there was actually a boy, that's right. Apart from her mother's words, there was also a boy that night. He was the one who made her realize her wrong interpretation and her wrongdoings... Despite laughing at her, in the end, he was the one who saved her from that storekeeper.

Thinking about it, she never knew what happened to the boy as she left him behind. Everything seemed to slip out of her mind. Yet, why was she remembering all of this now? Specifically in her dreams?

Shaking her head, Celestine stood out from the bed, fixing her attire. She looked out from the window, she can hear crickets chirping. It was already deep in the night.

Sighing, she went towards the wonderful aroma of food towards her room's table. Meira has left the food, not waking her up. She probably saw that she was tired from all of her training since earlier, thus, not wanting to disturb her from her sleep.

"Meira?" Celestine tried to call her out. She was always by her door, only leaving once she has allowed her to, but Meira did not answer, she was not there.

Celestine shrugged, maybe she has already retired? It was already nighttime too. "I just hope that she has already eaten." She said, before sitting down and proceeding to eat the food that was prepared for her, it was still quite hot.

As she finished, she put all of the plates back on its tray. Standing up, she thought to just bring it back towards the maid servant's quarters before proceeding to take a bath.

Nodding, Celestine decided to do as she planned. She left her room, carrying the tray in both of her hands, careful to not let them slip. She did not want to bother anyone just because of her clumsy mistake.

She arrived at the maid servant's quarters. There were a few that have still been working, cleaning up.

Looking around, she asked for her friend. "Have you seen Meira?" She asked another female servant, however, the servant only shook her head. "Apologies, Young Mistress. Meira has bot yet returned ever since she brought your food." She said.

She knotted her eyebrows, "Whatever do you mean? She was not in my room when I woke up, only the food was delivered and prepared." She said, pressing the servant.

Once again shaking her head, her body, lightly shaking, the servant apologized. "I am sorry, Young Mistress, I truly do not know of Meira's location. I am deeply sorry." She said, bowing her head.

Seeing that she was unnecessarily putting the servant in an uncomfortable situation, Celestine decided not to push her for information any further, for it seemed like she was indeed telling the truth. She really did not know where Meira is.

Bowing, Celestine apologized towards the servant. "No, I am sorry for my actions, I didn't mean to scare you." She said, smiling, but the maidservant only took that as her signal to finally be able to leave, bowing before running away, hastily at that.

Once again, Celestine noticed the odd reactions that she has been getting from the people that she has encountered inside the residence. It seemed like all of them were to some extent, scared at their Masters? At least that is how she has viewed it. Meira's reaction was also like that when she first tried to interact with her.

Finally leaving the maid's quarters, Celestine decided to look for Meira once more... But where? Thinking about it, she doesn't really know anything about her, except for the fact that she serves the Maynard Family.

Sighing, she thought of herself as a bad friend. She has only been talking about herself, but never did she ask her newly made friend about herself. It seems like what Nesryn said about her was true, she was indeed selfish.

She looked around the residence one more time, but in the end, still failed to find Meira.

'Where could she be?' She asked herself.

Seeing that it was already deep in the night, Celestine returned towards the maidservants' quarters. The lights were already out, maybe Meira was able to return and is now sleeping?

Not wanting to disturb the servants, Celestine decided to go into the bath. For sure, no one is already occupying it, seeing that the servants have already retired for the night, it was safe to assume that so are their masters. She was feeling really sticky from the sweat that she has accumulated from the morning.

However, Celestine never expected the terrifying sight that has welcomed her as she entered the bath.

"Meira!" She screamed, running immediately towards her friend. She did not know what to do as she was already lightly panicking.

"Meira! Talk to me!" She once again screamed. Instantly, she took off her outer robe and tried to wrap it around her friend's naked body.

'What happened?!" She thought to herself before frantically looking around. Celestine then noticed various layers of clothing scattered all over the floor. Getting one fabric on her hand, she immediately recognized that it was the ripped-off clothes of her friend.

"Meira! Meira! Wake up!" She shouted, shaking her friend whose out of consciousness.

Breathing heavily, she tried to bring Meira's body out of the damp part of the ground but as she moved her, she suddenly felt her body shaking heavily. Blood... There's blood, and what seems to be a white sticky fluid, flowing out of her friend's private parts.

"No, no, please no." She said, shaking her head, she continued to try to wake Meira.

The air in the bath felt thick, a fishy smell lingered around the air which was masked by the fragrant scent of the water, Celestine just noticed it.

Meira...

Meira was...

She closed her eyes.

Why?

Why must this happen to her friend?

As she was thinking, Meira suddenly flinched as she was laying down on Celestine's thighs.

Her eyes were still closed, yet she was screaming, thrashing around frantically.

"Please, stop! Master!" She shouted, begging, with tears running down her cheeks.

Celestine finally was able to put all of the puzzle pieces together.

So it was her Master...

It was either Roux or Ronald.

Closing her eyes, Celestine inhaled before calmly calling out to her friend.

"Meira, it's me, Celestine." She said, her voice, as gentle as she could.

Slowly, the crying girl opened her eyes, looking evidently relieved when she saw her friend's face.

"Celestine!" She cried, hugging her tightly. She was still crying, so Celestine did the only thing that she could; try her best to calm her down.

She felt hurt seeing her friend like this, she knew how she felt, but she was lucky to be able to escape with only a little damage. Her friend, however, was not as lucky as her, seeing the blood flowing down her thighs, she knew, the deed has already been done.

Celestine ran her hands up and down Meira's back, "It's alright. I'm here." She said, "It's okay to cry. I'll stay with you." She said. She can feel Meira nod her head before crying her heart out.

Celestine clenched her other fist. This damned family. How could they?! Their power doesn't give them the right to abuse and violate others. Why are they even doing it in the first place? They act all high and mighty, bragging about their education and knowledge, as well as their wealth yet their behavior is far less than a poor man begging for food and money in the street.

She hugged her dear friend tightly, showing her that she's here with her, to calm her down and make her feel safe and secured.

As the wailing of her friend slowly died out, Celestine remained silent, she did not want to interrogate her friend any longer, but she wanted to ask one question.

Holding Meira's shoulders, she looked directly into her eyes and asked, "Who did this?"

Meira shook her head, she did not want any more chaos to happen within the residence, this one unfortunate event was already enough. Seeing that Celestine's eyes were full of anger, she knew that her friend might do something rash, she did not want to put her at risk, but she really did appreciate her friend's gesture.

Celestine, however, does not want to just let everything end there. Her friend was defiled! She was way past anger. She needed to avenge her.

"Who did this?!" She screamed, startling the fragile girl in front of her in the process. Hearing Meira's light gasp, Celestine's consciousness soon returned to her.

"I-I'm sorry." She immediately apologized, in which Meira returned with a light smile.

She realized that she was in the wrong. Indeed, Meira for sure, is also feeling angry but in the end, what can she do? What can they do? For now, it seems like they can only do nothing but accept, no matter how hard the circumstances are.

But Celestine did not want to do that. She was not the type of person to stay silent when something clearly wrong is happening in front of her. After all, she believed that a person will not be able to truly learn as long as nobody denies his actions. One must be given the right words, and if not, a beating, in order to truly learn.

"Please Celestine, let's-let's just go." Meira pleaded her, her glossy eyes, seemingly piercing through Celestine's heart.

"Let's wash you up first." Celestine said, avoiding Meira's eyes. She assisted Meira to wash her body from all the sweat and blood, as well as the nasty white liquid from her thighs.

They wanted to puke, but held on, in order to not trigger each other's feelings. Both of them, despite being hurt, was careful of each other, knowing that one move may trigger one's action that could change everything.

Celestine noticed bruises all over her friend's body. Large hand marks can be found on her friend's wrist, as well as thighs, bite marks covered her neck and breast. She cannot help but feel pity, but more than that, she was disgusted and angry.

Not uttering a single word, Celestine quietly helped Meira stand up. she gathered her clothes that were scattered on the floor as Meira stood up, using Celestine's robe to cover her body.

Celestine helped Meira to walk, as she was slightly limp, sore all over her body.

She cannot help but curse the man that has done such a despicable thing to her friend. He will pay, she's sure of it, for she will be the one to ask him the prize for his actions.

Celestine leads Meira towards her room. She wanted her to feel secure, and her room is most probably the best place to provide her that, knowing that it has the luxury that her wretched masters have. She at least deserved to be pampered after this incident.

As she helped Meira lay down the bed, she sat down at the edge, once again asking. "Who did it?"

Meira looked away. She was torn, yes, she did want to have her revenge but she can't do anything. She won't be able to, no matter how she wants to, for she is powerless. Her friend, though doted on by her Young Master is the same.

"Don't bother, Celestine. Please." She said, trying to hold back the tears from her eyes, and doing her best to keep her voice from shaking. "Please try to understand." She pleaded, swallowing down her cries.

Celestine knew that she was being restless, seemingly not caring about her friend's feelings but still, she wanted to know.

She did not talk back, patiently waiting for her friend.

The both of them fought a silent war, with Meira getting defeated in the end, "It's the Master of the House, Sir Ronald." She finally blurted out, though only with a small, whispering voice. She looked at Celestine with pleading eyes; asking her to not make any rash decisions.

Her answer infuriated Celestine. "So it was that disgusting old man." She thought, remembering all of the actions of the man that made her spine shiver due to the brazenness.

She looked at her friend's pleading eyes. She wanted to take action, but she also wants to consider her feelings. After all, Meira is only worried about her. But still, this event is not one that she should let pass, however, as she thought of all the possible outcomes if she decided to storm into Ronald's chambers; the result all being the same, and it wasn't one that brings her any good.

Sighing, Celestine nodded her head, taking her friend into consideration. Meira smiled in relief. She was glad for having a friend just like Celestine. Though their personalities are completely the opposite, they understood each other.

Indeed she was hurt, she was angry. She was defiled, and she felt disgraced. But then, she can only accept. This was her fate. This was her reality.

Reality is not something that one can change—not easily, that is.