Pawn X

Six months had passed, and an unusual event stirred the quietude of Lord Ivan's household. A retinue arrived, signaling the rare emergence of the lord's family from their secluded abode. The entire assembly of maids and servants stood in a solemn line, an honor guard extended from the gate to the residence door.

The reason for this grand occasion was the return of Lord Ivan's son, Liam, who had served as a knight in the king's service for the past decade. Accompanying him were a few newly appointed servants and maids.

With the creaking of wheels, the cart bearing Liam rolled through the entrance of the household, signaling its grand entrance. A guard, standing at attention, boomed his announcement, "Announcing the return of Sir Liam, loyal knight of the king!" The words echoed through the quiet courtyard, marking the official arrival of the lord's son after years of service to the kingdom.

The air thickened with a blend of anticipation, excitement, and an unspoken tension as the household prepared to welcome its prodigal son.

As Liam stepped foot onto the grounds, a palpable tension lingered in the air. Dorothy, Lord Ivan's wife, rushed towards her son with eager anticipation, yearning to embrace him after his long absence.

Dorothy's heart swelled with joy at the sight of her long-awaited son. "Oh, my dear Liam, you're finally home," she exclaimed, her voice quivering with emotion.

However, before she could reach him, Liam pushed her away, an unexpected act that left his mother momentarily stunned. As Lord Ivan approached, eager to greet his son, Liam met him with an air of arrogance, displaying a demeanor that clashed with the warmth and anticipation of his family's welcome.

As Lord Ivan approached to greet his son, eager to welcome him back, Liam's response remained steeped in arrogance, his mannerism distant and aloof, creating a chilling contrast to the anticipated reunion.

For Liam, the ranks held by his parents bore little significance. Under the direct command of the king himself, he deemed their stature as inconsequential compared to his own esteemed position in service to the monarch.

"As requested, I have brought you what you asked for," Liam announced to Lord Ivan, gesturing toward the new maid and manservant who stood obediently behind him. Lord Ivan, acknowledging the effort made by his son, expressed his gratitude.

Despite that, before the assembled company, Liam swiftly reproached Ivan, chiding him for the seemingly abrupt request and the challenge it posed in gathering the new servants and maids on such short notice.

In truth, Ivan had made this request six months prior, a fact known only to him. Furthermore, it wasn't Liam himself who had sought out the new staff, but rather one of his subordinates.

Despite these details, Ivan chose to remain silent, understanding that perhaps his son was fatigued from the journey, and the subtleties might have eluded Liam's attention in the midst of his responsibilities.

Ivan extended a cordial invitation to his son, urging him to enter the residence. "You must be hungry after your journey. I've arranged a feast for your return," Ivan warmly offered. To his dismay, Liam dismissed his father's hospitality, declining the invitation outright. "I'll pass, Father. I plan to spend some time at the brothel," Liam retorted casually, showing no regard for his father's efforts or the anticipation of a familial reunion.

Later, as Liam and his entourage prepared to depart, he swiftly re-entered his cart, instructing his driver to take them away from the residence. As they rode off, Ivan's gaze lingered on the departing figures, a sense of disappointment clouding his expression.

Meanwhile, Belle, sensing the abrupt shift in plans, approached Ivan with a query about the feast. "What shall we do with the food, sir?" she inquired.

For Ivan, the thought of sharing the prepared meal didn't even cross his mind. His response was blunt and detached, "Dispose of it all," he commanded. Once the food had been discarded, he turned his attention to Belle, issuing further instructions. "After you're done with that task, ensure the pairing of the maids with the new servants brought by Liam," he directed, showing a practical but somewhat callous approach to managing the household affairs.

As Lord Ivan and his wife entered the residence, a disheartened atmosphere lingered among the maids left outside. The couple made no attempt to give any instruction, leaving the maids in a state of uncertainty. Belle, however, maintained her composure. With a nod, she gathered a few maids to begin the task of discarding the prepared feast.

"Come with me," Belle called out to the selected group, her voice firm. Turning to the remaining maids, she conveyed a clear message, "The rest of you, wait here for further instructions." The maids, left in suspense, exchanged uncertain glances as they awaited the next set of orders that would dictate their responsibilities in the absence of any guidance from the household's leaders.

Belle turned to Leia, motioning for her to follow. With a composed demeanor, she led Leia through the bustling corridors of the household, guiding her toward the rest of the new maids and servants awaiting direction.

"Leia, I need you to assist me," Belle explained calmly as they walked. "Show the rest of the new maids and servants where they'll be assigned and their duties within the residence." Leia nodded, understanding the responsibility bestowed upon her, and together, they approached the group of expectant newcomers, ready to usher them into their roles within the household.

As Leia commenced the tour, familiarizing the new maids and servants with their designated areas within the household, a particular servant began to behave inappropriately. His questions became intrusive and irrelevant, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere. Gradually, he edged closer to Leia, breaching her personal space and crossing boundaries by touching her without permission.

Feeling unsettled by the unwelcome advances, Leia subtly moved away, maintaining her composure and attempting to redirect the conversation back to the tour. However, the persistent behavior of the servant posed a growing challenge, leaving Leia increasingly uncomfortable in her role as the guide for the newcomers.

During the tour, the servant's behavior took a severe turn, his demeanor becoming more aggressive and insolent, sneered at Leia, "Oh, look at the feisty one! Your husband must be enjoying the taste of someone as delicious as you all alone." his disrespectful comments and inappropriate advances towards Leia escalated, reaching a point of mockery that Leia couldn't ignore. She felt a surge of frustration and, in a swift move, slapped the man's face to deter his insolence. However, this action only seemed to further incite the servant.

With an aggressive pull, he forcefully grasped Leia's hair, causing her immense pain. Her attempts to resist were futile against his overpowering strength. Distressed and desperate, Leia pleaded for help from the other maids and servants, but they remained frozen, unwilling to intervene.

As the situation intensified, Leia's cries for assistance grew louder, catching the attention of Belle, who hurried to the commotion. "What's happening here?" Belle demanded, her voice cutting through the tension.

However, the servant quickly brushed off the incident, denying any wrongdoing. Despite Belle's efforts to discern the truth from the other servants present, they all remained silent, unwilling to speak up. Sensing the situation escalating, Belle sighed with frustration and instructed everyone to return to their rooms, the matter left unresolved due to the unwillingness of the witnesses to speak up.

The air was thick with tension as the maids and servants retreated, leaving Leia to grapple with the aftermath of the disturbing encounter.