Chapter 24

If had been a mark that the duke had left years ago. It was in his study on a day that I glared at him for the first, and last, time. It was the day of the duchess' birthday which he spoiled by inviting a group of prostitutes he had made an illegal harem from to his room.

It was so barbaric and horrible, but naturally to those who sat in a tea party for those of noble birth it was a sight for exciting and humiliating talk. The duchess had been so disgraced at her own birthday and as a result I had lashed out at him, knowing full well that I would get beaten.

I could remember the curses on my tongue and the anger that still coiled freshly in me. That day he beat me terribly as I expected he would, although I couldn't say I regretted it.

And after he was done he picked up that seal and turned my limp body around, burning the head of it in his fireplace before pressing it into my skin. I still recalled the bright red metal that seared into my nape.

I didn't recall screaming, but then I didn't recall anything that happened after.

I woke up in his study, exactly where I was left with burn marks all over me, but the one that hurt so much that any neck movement bought tears to my eyes was that very first one. The one the young master had discovered.

I hated when people discovered my scars. When they gave peculiar glances to the scars on my hands I would pull down my sleeves immediately. But somehow, the one on my back was something I considered okay. I would never show it to Angela, but I honoured that scar.

After my outburst, the duke hadn't repeated what had occurred during the party. In fact, he even publicly shamed himself for it. Saying he wasn't in his right mind and did an unforgivable thing.

I felt a smile on my lips at the memory and that was a mistake on my part.

"Why are you laughing? Are you laughing at my reaction?" The master snapped at me. His eyes were wide in what should've been anger but looked almost like guilt and… self-loathing.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean for that. It's just it seemed to bother you, but it doesn't really bother me at all", I replied.

"How could it not bother you? It'll be there forever. You'll always carry that scar", his voice began so harsh and somehow fell into a whisper.

"It doesn't matter anymore. I will always be a slave of Goldiar", I replied solemnly.

Somehow when I said that I thought that it must've been when I got that scar that the scary idea occurred to me. The idea that maybe the event was a premonition for the fact that I'll never be free of Goldiar.

He didn't sit down. Instead he seemed to have been so deeply in thought as he stared at the mark. So deeply in thought as he touched the mark once again, his eyes somehow redder as they surveyed the nape area and then like lightning had shot through me I felt warmth on my neck and my breath caught in my throat.

His breath graced my neck with goosebumps and when his lips touched that mark I felt a strange shiver run through me. My body became strangely warm, but it ended soon enough for me to pay it no mind and instead gawk at him- at the outrageous thing he just did.

"Cai- M-My duke? What- What was that?", I couldn't speak properly. My voice was etched in fear as I realised that my master had just-

He stared at me in a way I couldn't understand, but I was scared of it. The way his eyes curled in a soft way so unlike his usual self.

"Don't you remember how you did the same for me during that time? I've returned the favour", His hand was behind my chair and we still spoke through the mirror as if we couldn't just turn around and speak to each other.

In all honesty, I didn't think I even had the stomach to turn around and speak properly. I was in such a state with all that's happened.

My mind recalled a time he might've referred to and I found myself recalling the many times I had kissed someone who got hurt. My mother did the same to me and Angela. Although, I wish she had warned me not to do something as outrageous as kissing a dukedoms heirs wound.

I must've been insane!

"Please excuse my past selfs sins. I would never commit such an act"-

"Stop it".

I felt my words die off as I caught the look on his face. I realised that his eyes hadn't just seemed redder earlier. They were redder. His face was cast down in a look I knew well as… self-loathing.

For a moment. A thought sprung up in my head.

'Did he… blame himself?'

The very notion was ridiculous. I mean it wasn't at all related to him. None of it was his fault.

"Duke"-

"Can't you just call me Cain! It's just for today, only for today, I promise…", his voice… dare I say, pleaded me. Eyes still staring at the ground.

I opened my mouth to speak his name but instead a strange throat noise escaped me and I grimaced. I had trained,and conditioned my lips to never utter his name. Not after the duchess had died. Not after what his father warned me about.

But, the tug on my heart strings made it harder to avoid it and I couldn't reject my master. Or anyone, for that matter, wearing such an expression.

"Cain… Cain", his name felt strange on my tongue, like a word that was naughty to say. I had to repeat it to make sure that I was saying it right. It gave a similar excitement to what you might feel when breaking a rule as a child.

"My father is paying for what he did to you", his words snapped me out of my thoughts and astonishment coursed through me.

"You shouldn't say such things! If someone hears then…" I gulped at the thought.

"You don't think god punishes those who have sinned? Whether directly or through other means?" Although he still seemed upset about the scar, I couldn't help the shiver that ran through me at his words.

'Through other means?'

What could that mean?

Before I could reply he hastily walked to the door and gestured towards the dress. His face so passive I couldn't tell what he thought.

"Get ready. I'm waiting outside".