Chapter 7

Something I want?

I looked up at those eyes and found the look in them so uncannily earnest. The smell of fresh flowers making it seem almost dreamlike and that made me deem this... a test.

"There isn't anything I want as I've been provided the best"- I had it all planned out before my words were cut off with the sound of a tongue clicking.

"Be honest or you'll regret it".

The cruelness returned back to his face in an instant as he snarled at me. I calmly looked at his feet.

So this... wasn't a test? In that case...

"Can I inquire of the current state of my sister?" I looked at him hopefully.

But he just seemed more irritated at hearing that. He glared at me in an anger that seemed... strange. It was more like he was fed-up...?

"Something more personal damn it!" He shouted with a huff.

M-More personal?

I couldn't help but question his motives at that moment. What was happening? Why did he want me to tell him what I want? If he knew what I truly wanted I would be branded a greedy slave. If I could honestly answer that question I would be sentencing my self to death.

So how could "you", the boy born with a golden spoon ask what a human whose life doesn't even belong to themselves want?

For a moment I stared up at him, before I uttered my next words in a hesitation that was unfitted for a proper maid.

"I- I... want my sister to no longer be a slave. To be free of ownership" Those words were like a weight lifted off my shoulders, so heavy I found myself panting after I unleashed them.

Oh dear! What have I done.

When I heard him click his tongue once again I gulped on air and stared straight at my feet.

"You haven't changed one bit..." it was uttered with such animosity that I straightened my back and dared to look up at him.

His eyes stared at me. Not in disgust or annoyance, but in an observant way... and for a moment. Just a moment. His eyes looked a little... red.

"Forgive me, young master".

He didn't reply and with a sigh he turned around and left. Leaving me bewildered and confused.

I later found Angela in the kitchens. She was fine. Completely fine.

No. She actually looked... kind of happy?

"Angela?" I whispered lowly to her to avoid getting told off for slacking.

She gave me a surprised pair of raised eyebrows and then like the idiot she was she loudly said, "Bella! Where were you?"

I sighed as I heard Naomi's shout follow up straight away.

"Girls! Do I hear you slacking?!"

"No ma'am!" I called back with a look thrown at Angela who gave me a sheepish grin.

She was in perfect condition it seemed.

"He didn't hurt me" she whispered before she left to finish up her chores right away.

I actually believed her. But I couldn't understand her behaviour or the young masters.

The day passed eventually and the after dinner cleaning was finally over. I walked to the place both me and Angela slept, which was the kitchen cupboards of all places. It was a place used for storing rice and oats and the bags of them piled up made a bed. Not the most decent one but a bed atleast.

The servants usually have rooms, but as slaves we didn't have that luxury, although the best feature about it was that it was just us there. And with kitchens so far away from everyone's rooms we could talk as we wanted without being told off.

When I entered the kitchen I found Angela waiting for me while leaning on the counter. She brightened up at the sight of me.

"Bella! You'll never guess what the young master said to me! He told me not to tell you some bits but he's not as bad as you thought Bella!" She began to gush.

I recalled my burned hands, the death threats and all the gruelling labour. That was enough physical evidence to point out that there was plenty of proof but I kept my mouth shut despite my retorts.

"And how would you know that?" I drawled unconvinced.

"He didn't hurt me", she proudly said.

"I don't think that really"-, I began but she hushed me with a finger.

"He's a good person Bella. He says he still remembers how we used to be friends and wants to rebuild that friendship. Can we give him a chance? Please?" She practically begged.

I gave her the most incredulous face, "Angela. We are maids. We don't befriend our masters. We were children back then, but now we're grown adults. If we befriend the master again do you know what people would say?!" I hated how much I loathed the idea. And it was mostly to blame on her hopeful eyes that me questioned why "I" hated that idea.

I wanted us to return to those happy days more than anything. To be laughing and working in an environment that motivated us. But the images, the images of him hurting me. Threatening to kill me. Those eyes so full of hate. It was too much. I could never ever befriend him again. That boy from years ago was no more.

"Please Bella. Cain needs us".

That did it. That made me snap.

"Angela do not use that name in front of me! I never want to hear that name! Ever! Maybe he didn't hurt you and I'm glad he didn't, but he can hurt people very badly Angela I can promise that! He- He doesn't care how much he hurts you if you wrong him. He's not- he's not right", I grasped her shoulders and wanted to shake her until she understood.

But her face was just pale very pale. And she shook her head at me.

"N-No you don't mean that Isabelle! You like him a lot! I know you do!" She seemed panicked for a moment and what made me pause was that she used my name, not that nickname. Suddenly a bad premonition came to me.

"Right... I do like him", I said after careful consideration.

Was somebody... listening? Otherwise why would Angela be so panicked. She was never a good actor.

When I heard footsteps behind me, I realised I was right.

"That was quite a pathetic lie". That familiar deep voice said aloud. Announcing his presence.

I turned back with my face on the ground and my heart beating so loudly in my rib cage that I couldn't hear my thoughts. I curtsied.

"Young master, please forgive this servants unforgivable behaviour", I was lower than normal in my curtsy.

"Oh cut it out. I've heard your thoughts about me and I can't say I'm surprised. I will destroy those that wrong me", when he said those words he leaned so low his eyes burned into my lowered gaze.

I wasn't even this scared when he threatened to kill me with an arrow.

"What? Feeling shy all of a sudden? You stared at me so brazenly in the hallway for a maid" he taunted.

He was right. I had been so out of it that I stared straight at him back then. A maid should do no such thing, despite her nerves.

"I do not deserve your"-

"Your sister will be freed like you asked".

My words were caught in my throat as my wide eyes looked him right in his face..

"What did you?" I looked to Angela who looked almost guilty at my gaze. This- was this truly happening?

"She'll marry that stable boy and rest assured I've paid off for a wedding, a house and even a farm. She'll be a farmers wife", he continued, counting off his fingers with a satisfied smile, "it's the least I could do for my dear childhood friend".

I couldn't process his words at first. I couldn't believe it. It seemed. It seemed far too good to be true. I looked to Angela who nervously looked away from me.

"I-Is that true, Angela?"

Is that what they had discussed?

Angela nodded.

"Cain promised me. After he becomes the Duke he'll fulfil that promise but"-.

"Oh don't steal the best part from me", the young master interrupted with a chuckle so cold I shivered in apprehension.

"What do you want in return?" I asked. Knowing full well he had a price intended.

"You".

And I knew that I would never forget that look on his face. The look that made me think that he planned on destroying me from the inside as much as he had from the outside.