Chapter three

Yasmin was sure her feet had fallen off from standing so long. She kept shifting her weight from left to right, sometimes even standing on her toes then rocking on her heels. The number of people here had decreased significantly and there were even vacant spaces at the front table…

Yasmin glanced to her side, the man sat quietly, watching the scene before him with droopy eyes. His right elbow rested on the arm of the chair and his hand that was folded in a fist rested against his jaw. 

'Does he not plan to leave?!' Yasmin thought while observing his relaxed position.

The day went by and more and more people left the building. It was only when there were two spaces occupied at the front table that the man decided to stand from his seat. He began to walk towards the front, gesturing for the two girls to follow him. Yasmin let out a small breath of relief once they started walking, her feet were tingling, they felt as if she was being pricked by hundreds of tiny needles. Yasmin glanced over at the girl with a questioning stare, her eyes trailed from her pale face down to her small dirty feet. She had been so quiet, Yasmin had almost forgotten she was there. Aware that she was being stared at, the girl looked up to meet Yasmin's eyes, Yasmin eyes widened in surprise, having been caught red handed, her only response was to smile. The girl wasn't expecting that response and continued to stare at Yasmin before quickly looking down. Yasmin was slightly bewildered by the girl's action, she decided to ignore it and focus ahead, she hadn't noticed the flustered expression on the latter's face. They came to a stop in front of the long table and the man stepped forward to speak with one of the persons sitting behind it.

"Marquess William," a short man called, earning the attention of the others seated behind the table including Yasmin's. 

'I was right… he is the male lead, Marcellus William.'

"I see you have returned from the battle field." The man continued while handing a sheet of paper to Marcellus. 

"I've just arrived," was his only response as he took the sheet of paper and began writing. Once finished he took up a small silver dagger from the table and turned to look at the two girls. "Come here." He said flatly. Yasmin looked at him as if he had grown another head, the other girl went without hesitation, Yasmin could only gape at her. 

Marcellus glared. "Must I repeat myself." It wasn't a question, it was a statement. Yasmin avoided his glare, eyeing the little dagger intently, her feet remained firmly grounded. Marcellus also averted his gaze towards the little dagger, gaining some understanding, he grabbed onto the previous girl's hand and yanked her towards him, singling out her index finger, he quickly pricked it with the dagger. The girl barely reacted, only wincing a little, he then pressed her finger to the sheet of paper leaving behind a bloody fingerprint. He turned towards Yasmin with a slightly raised eyebrow as if to indicate that he meant no harm. Feeling relieved, Yasmin came forward and slowly stretched out her hand to him. She wasn't given any time to react as Marcellus pricked her finger, she had to ignore her flight and fight reflex and not withdraw her hand, only hissing from the pain. 

'Such a heartless man'

"Will that be all?"

"Yes Marquess Williams, thank you for your time." 

With a curt "hm," Marcellus turned and left with his two slaves trailing behind him. They soon arrived outside where a horse drawn carriage was parked in front of the building.

"Get on," was all he said before walking towards the front of the carriage. Both girls stayed rooted on the ground, unsure of what to do, shortly after, a man with greying hair approached. Smiling brightly he offered his hands towards both girls. 

"Come on– I won't bite."

Isabelle was hesitant but Yasmin immediately took the man's hand. She recognized him from the moment he came into view, Jordan smith… one of the many servants in Marcellus' mansion, also one of the oldest. Jordan's character was based off of Yasmin's father in the real world, she always held strong emotions when writing about him. 

"It's okay," she whispered to isabelle. "He won't hurt us." 

Isabelle stared at Yasmin for a while before looking back at Jordan, she hesitantly gave him her hand. Still smiling, Jordan helped both girls into the carriage before disappearing from their view behind the carriage doors. 

"Did they get on?"

"Yes my lord."

"Let's go." 

Jordan sounded his agreement before hopping onto the carriage and commanding the horses with a "hiyah". Meanwhile in the back of the carriage, two girls sat in an uncomfortable silence.

'This is so awkward I could die', Yasmin thought. Glancing over at Isabelle who sat across from her, Yasmin once again scrutinised her looks. Her blonde wavy locks had clumps of dirt in it, the red lash marks and purple bruises that were starting to turn green contrast greatly with her fair skin and her honey brown eyes seemed so lifeless and dull. She looked nothing like that strong female lead that she had once wrote about, Isabelle must have felt Yasmin's intense gaze , she looked up and they made eye contact. Being the shameless person she was, Yasmin continued to stare blatantly, Isabella's skin was quite thin so she swiftly looked away avoiding Yasmin's gaze at all cause.

'So cute', she cooed in her mind. Yasmin has always been a sucker for cute things, she was known as a neutral easy going person by her friends and family, occasionally frivolous or dramatic but, what they didn't know is about her online shopping addiction and that one room filled with plushies. It would be a secret she'll take to her grave.

Yasmin cleared her throat with the intention of getting Isabelle's attention and that she did. She looked up with curious eyes, meeting Yasmin's lively ones.

"My name is Yasmin, what's yours?"

Isabelle was a little taken back, even looking around the carriage to see if anyone else was present but, ofcourse it was only them. Slowly, she replied, "...Isabelle." It was said so softly Yasmin almost missed it, not that it mattered since she already knew her name, it was just an excuse to start a conversation.

Yasmin smiled softly. "That is quite a lovely name."

Isabelle flushed slightly before replying, "Thank you, yours… too."

Yasmin beamed brightly at the compliment, she extended her hand towards Isabelle saying, "Since we are in a similar situation, let's look out for each other and help each other when in need of it."

Isabelle looked at Yasmin's hand for a while before slowly reaching for it. "...okay." She said, shaking Yasmin's hand.

After that the two continued to converse, with mostly Yasmin talking and Isabelle listening with occasional input. The journey back to Marcellus' estate would be a long one, three to five days at least since Marcellus bought them on his way back from Hyacinth, a neighbouring kingdom where he had a mission. 

The two girls had fallen asleep when the carriage came to a stop beside a tavern. Being a light sleeper, Isabelle jolted awake and shook Yasmin gently to wake her up as well.

"What..." She mumbled looking around drowsy.

"We stopped." 

Just as that was said, the door of the carriage opened revealing Jardon. He held out his hand for the girls to take and Yasmin took it before holding out hers for Isabelle to take. She took it causing Yasmin to smile sleepily, together they were escorted out of the carriage and inside the tavern. Inside, Marcellus stood with his back to them, his attention on the old man behind the desk. He was saying something they couldn't hear before turning around to face them.

"Jardon," he called sternly "handle that." He said gesturing towards the desk.

"Yes my lord."

"You two," he addressed the girls, "Come with me." He turned away from them and went up some stairs, Yasmin and Isabelle exchanged glances before following hastily. "You two will stay here," Marcellus said as he came to a halt in front of a door. "If you need something Jardon will be next door to your right and I to your left, got it?"

Both girls nodded and with that he turned away and went into his room. 

Yasmin released a small sigh before also entering her room with Isabelle, she was still sleepy and intended to do just that. Even though Isabelle showed no signs of being tired Yasmin could see the drowsiness deep within her eyes. She looked around and notice that there was only one single bed, pushed up against one of the walls in the room. Yasmin didn't find a problem with that, after all they were both women and were also small in body so they should both be able to fit on the bed together. 

Yawning, Yasmin spoke, "We've had a long journey and even more to come… let's sleep." 

"Hm"

"What are you doing?" Yasmin asked once she noticed Isabelle getting on the floor.

"I will sleep on the floor and you can take the bed."

"Nonsense!" Yasmin exclaimed, slightly offended. "Let's just share the bed, we are both women are we not?"

"B-but–"

"Are you saying that you are not a woman miss belle?" She asked, eyebrows raised slightly. Ever since the two got to know each other a little bit back in the carriage, Yasmin has started calling Isabelle miss Belle unknowingly. if was what she use to addressed the character by in the real word and seeing that the other didn't mind it she continued to address her like that. 

"No." Isabelle said softly.

"Then we will share the bed."

"Yes."

"Good."