24 - The Ruthless Mistress

In the west wing, on the second floor of the citadel, walks a struggling handmaiden who carefully places her steps on the carpeted floor leading down a long lavish corridor; the décor shines ever so brightly, for the mounted torches on the sides and the numerous crystal chandeliers which hang down from above the curved ceiling, illuminates the reflecting gems of utter wealth. The gems glitter in the foundation, built into the stonework as if someone wants to show what kind of person dwells in this wing of the citadel.

The handmaiden continues down the decorated corridor with trembling hands holding a tray filled with steaming deliciousness.

Its dishes range from a thick saucy soup with various colored vegetables swimming in its warmth. To fine cut meat oozing with crimson juice, while tiny unscaled potatoes lie beside the steak of grandness. And since the tray weighs somewhat heavily, the handmaiden stares at her feet as beads of sweat forms on her forehead.

The different sized silverware of spoons, forks and knives clink together the further she goes, while the patterned cup of tea rattles on the porcelain surface.

A dinner for a person of stature, yet a simple dinner nonetheless.

The head-handmaiden, Linadra’s daughter is who it is that walks in this grand hallway. And a handmaiden of her Mistress, Madelyn Tertin, Malinda’s spoiled younger sister.

As the handmaiden stumbles onwards to her destination, a startling roar bellows out through the corridor.

“MY DEAR FAMILY, I’M HOME!!!”

“Ah! Ahh!” the handmaiden alarmingly quails from the tiger’s roar as her rattling hands tries to gain control of her swaying tray, which tilts side to side. But, she manages to collect herself, while the inhales and exhales rapidly increases. The surprise from the Lord of the household’s shouting voice resounded so loud that she nearly set her life up for endless turmoil, which she would’ve gotten from her Mistress if she dropped the tray of delicacies.

“H-He seriously needs to stop doing that!” the handmaiden cried out with a frown on her eyebrows as she stumbles on. “It scares me half to death every time the Master comes home.”

She focuses on her task at hand: Giving Madelyn her dinner for today, since her mother, Linadra told her to do so. Because Celyssa doesn’t want Madelyn anywhere near the filthy creature called Xe’Reth. Though, Celyssa knows that her sister-in-law won’t be coming to dinner. For the reason: The swelled up cheek.

Madelyn’s thoughts on staying as beautiful as she can have always been a top priority, and if she meets Malinda’s lover in her current state, she wouldn’t be able to handle the embarrassment, much less the heartbreak upon seeing the man.

The handmaiden stops in front of two embroidered double doors while her rattling hands strains to keep the tray from falling since her arm strength totals to that of a teenage bookworm.

As she lifts her one foot backward, she swings it forward to hit one of the doors with her handmaiden’s shoes. Three resounding knocks hit the wooden material, but her balance falters as she tilts to one side; her doom awaits.

“Hoh, easy there, Liriana,” a voice declared from behind while two gloved hands grasp Liriana’s tray, supporting her whole body also, so she doesn’t fall to that tilting side. “Let me help you bring this to Mistress… As you seem to be having difficulties with doing such a simple act.”

The tray lifts up above her, and Liriana lets go of it as she turns around to see her savior; not even minding the insulting words. Liriana’s worried face turns extremely relieved. With eyes closing, she lets out a long sigh.

“You saved me, Velyn. Thank you. I would’ve gotten into so much trouble if I dropped it, so thank you!” Liriana thanked with praying hands clutching together in front of her face while gazing in awe at Velyn’s ruby eyes, which squints in a natural way. “Come, Mistress must get the food immediately before it loses its warmth!”

“Of course. You thought I didn’t think of that? It’s our Mistress’ dinner after all. Now open the door,” Velyn demanded with a jerk of her head, and Liriana obediently smiles while nodding. The sweat vanishes from her forehead now that she doesn’t need to take care of such a chore as carrying food.

Liriana pulls down the handles to open the double doors which lead into Madelyn’s chamber. But, what shows in the vast room that has high walls with drapes of darkness hanging at every side making them touch the carpeted ground, sits a servant who bows as deep as she can on a different colored square rug, a couple of meters in front of the door.

The servant’s whole body shakes with a fright of what might become of her if she doesn’t plead for her dear life, in silence, to remain in a disgraceful posture of submissiveness. Though, Liriana and Velyn walk simply past the begging servant to the Honored Lady in question who stares at herself in a hand mirror, different from the one she had in the main garden, which she had left there on the stone bench when she went to the healer.

Her Honored Lady wears loose clothes, modest at best with a close-fitting gown.

The garment covers her untrained figure, but her revealing slender legs show fully to anyone who wants to see, one on top of the other, sitting in a dominant position as she keeps herself high and mighty in front of her handmaidens and servants who has gathered in this exact room. Both older and younger, but the younger ones’ totals in the majority, since Madelyn, has never been favored by the seniors.

While Madelyn gazes at herself casually without any worries in the world, especially not caring for the pleading servant who she caught; the servant who spread the rumor about her act of self-pleasuring. A young one, a fifteen-year-old girl.

The girl’s head has glued itself onto the rug while hands shake in anguish. Her whimpering soaks the rug, which makes Madelyn put down her mirror, rather, a woman’s hand stretches out to take it. A woman who sits next to Madelyn on a couch, a large one at that. It has armrests that can be folded down for each and every person who would be sitting on it, but as only two people currently rest on it, it gives room for her Honored Lady to leisure.

Without any noise from all of the other people inside this grand chamber, Madelyn will soon pass judgment on this unfortunate soul who begs for her dear life. Madelyn had first thought that she would only punish her by giving her excessive amount of chores, but now she doesn’t want to pass off this matter without taking it seriously because treachery will never be tolerated in her wing of the citadel ever again.

Though, Madelyn yawns tiredly as she catches both of her handmaidens standing in front of her. One holds the tray of dishes while squinting with a relaxed expression, the other, smiling at her Mistress so she won’t notice her flustered state of mind.

Madelyn doesn’t bother to speak to them, but the one who does open her mouth sits right beside her; the voice, proud and condescending. She squints with her scarlet eyes while smirking, “Where have you two been off to? Well, speak…?”

“My, my, sister. Aren’t you getting a little too bold only because you’re sitting next to Mistress?” Velyn taunted as her squinting eyes return to stare at her identical twin. Her own personality can’t let this bitch go without trying to humiliate her; their usual game to outdo one another for the favor of their Mistress. “It’s funny that my clothes somehow had sprung away so I couldn’t find them. You smug little rat thought you could hide my clothes while I washed? Hah! Maybe you should go and look for… No, never mind, it’s too late. They’re already in the burner. Sorry, heh.”

The twin sitting next to Madelyn turns pale as her eyes widen in shock. But she grits her teeth, showing them in the process as she hisses, “You didn’t burn my recently purchased garments…?”

“Hehehe…” Velyn chuckles sinisterly as her grin now shows her own whitened teeth fully, too.

“Enough…” Madelyn yawned with a hand covering her mouth. Not even fazed by their excessive bickering since she has heard it a thousand times already.

“But Mistress… She—Okay… I’ll be silent,” the twin said with a drooping head as Madelyn’s eyes narrow, which tells the twin that she should be completely silent. For she’s being an utter nuisance with all the moaning.

Though, as Madelyn gazes at Velyn who’s holding the tray, she smells the aroma of the food as she licks her lips with an eyebrow going up in wonder. “Is that food for me?”

“Yes, Mistress!” Liriana gleefully shouted, making the begging servant flinch from the cheery voice. Liriana’s hands flow to the tray of goodies. Then begins rambling about what her mother told her to say while putting in extra words. “Me and… Velyn thought you might be hungry. Since Honored Lady Malinda will be bringing her lover to dinner tonight. But because of what she gave you, I don’t think you want to be seen in your current state. Am I right, Mistress?”

“Mm, yes, you’re correct,” Madelyn said with pursed lips as she touches her reddened cheek, grimacing in the process. The stinging hasn’t subsided, and won’t for some days to come had the healer said to her. “I’ll have to meet her lover when I’m worthy to be looked upon. Hmm, place it by the table.”

“Yes, Mistress,” Velyn bobbed as she goes to put the tray down on a single square table with only one grand chair of a throne. While the twin scowls at her sister for winning the battle which will be finished later.

The servants, silent as the breezeless winds. The pleading one still weeps to herself in her humiliating position. And the handmaidens, act as if nothing goes on, only their Mistress regular mood swings.

Madelyn stands up casually with another yawn while she stretches her arms out, moaning tiredly. Then her now gown-covered legs takes her to the table to begin eating for she’s starving. Not even minding the crying servant on the carpet.

Velyn pulls out the chair for her Mistress with closed eyes and a relaxed smile. As Madelyn’s rear begins to lower, Velyn pushes the chair forward so her Mistress sits comfortably while leaning back to feel the textile of the cushioned seat.

She’s catered as the Honored Lady she is. Her face wears no makeup since she had recently bathed to prepare for the darkness to swallow up the light.

It’s a simple dinner she’s having. But good enough for her because her mind broods over what to do with the treacherous servant. She picks up the correct fork and knife, then she feasts as the cutting of the meat splits apart, spewing out red juices. As her mouth chews, she sticks in a potato, too. The etiquette exists no more, only a girl that’s hungry while she munches and chomps down her food.

While setting down her silverware, four fingers grasp onto the teacup while a pinky erect. And with a slight blow, the hotness descends down her throat with gulping noises. Then an exhale of air comes out in satisfaction while her eyes travel to the groveling servant.

“Well now, what should I do with this treasonous thing who wears my ribbon tied to her waist?” Madelyn asked calmly with eyes gazing around her room, as the servants lower their heads to not show anything but anxiety which fill the air. “Any suggestions?”

“A whole year of full-time chores and no free time is my suggestion, Mistress,” a servant bravely blurted out while her slight wrinkly face contorts angrily as her eyes gaze at the pleading servant.

“A year? Making it ten years is my submission, Mistress,” another servant retorted with battling eyes staring at the other servant, which scowls at her outrageous idea.

Madelyn takes a spoon then scoops up the saucy soup while slurping it as the suggestions keep on coming.

“Mistress, as the yearly inspection from the DLO is coming around the corner, shouldn’t we wait to punish her until it has been taken care of?” yet another servant inquired with a standing curtsy, then sits back down on her chair by one of the curtained walls.

“And the former head-handmaiden won’t take kindly if she is mistreated too severely,” a servant warned while she also curtsies as she sits back down.

*Slurp*

Velyn takes forth a handkerchief from her pocket. Then gently wipes Madelyn’s mouth, removing the sauce. It’s as if she’s a child because Madelyn doesn’t strain herself when she has other people that can do it for her; a pure slothful lady of wealth.

Yet when she would dress to her prim, people would be in awe, though only if she’s alone and not with her sister. If Malinda had been with her, then all of the attention would vanish from Madelyn to be directed to her sister instead.

But in front of servants, she doesn’t mind showing her laziness, since they’re sworn to serve her to their deaths. Only if Madelyn herself would release them from their oaths can they be free, though, the freedom belongs to them if they step out of the citadel, to never return.

“She spread the rumor through the Sanctuary, Mistress, without thinking. Such a disloyal act dictates from our oaths. She should be stripped of all her possessions and be thrown out of the citadel, permanently. It’ll serve as a lesson for the new servants that pledges their loyalty to you in the upcoming ceremony,” Velyn cruelly pointed out with a bent body forward to show her beaming smile to Madelyn.

“Pleeeaaassseee, Mistreeesss, forgive mee!” the begging servant wailed as her body shakes in complete fright, not even daring to look up from her submissive position on the rug. “Pleaaassee, I am sorry… Have mercy, please!”

Madelyn’s fork-holding hand which has a potato stuck to it returns to the plate as she hears the moans of sorrow, but instead of feeling guilty for treating her as if some kind of lesser slave, she raises and lowers her lips to grit her teeth while picking up her teacup.

She pushes her chair out so it falls and hits with a thud on the floor as she stomps toward the shriveling servant who curls up even more upon hearing her Mistress’ steps.

“Forgive you?! You have disgraced me with your filthy lies! Everybody in the citadel has heard! And you expect me to forgive you?!?!” Madelyn screamed as she raises her hand in the air, then throws the teacup right beside the servant, smashing it onto the carpet.

Its sound transforms the servant into a worse state than her former self. Tears flow out in quantity, hiccups with a dripping nose which snivels, and the pure spasm from the shaking fifteen-year-old body.

“Plea—*Hic* Please, Mistress… I am—*Hic* Sorry…” she cried for her life as her hands positions themselves behind her head.

Most of the servants that come from Madelyn’s wing has an origin from outside, namely brought in by Celyssa, especially the slightly older ones. But yet the majority comes from the Sanctuary itself. Though those who takes the oath of servitude to Madelyn has a personality of a twisted nature and not of a kind nature.

That’s why Madelyn’s servants and handmaidens simply watch and doesn’t interrupt their Mistress. Since one unwanted word can bring their Mistress’ wrath upon them, which has happened before.

Those who tried to stand up for themselves, the prideful servants, didn’t stand a chance against Madelyn because she simply threw them out by accusing them of treason against an Honored family. Of course, the former head-handmaiden always does her best in trying to stop such meaningless cruelty, but alas, her power in controlling Madelyn is null and void.

All the former head-handmaiden could do for the unfortunate soul that was sent out into the unknown kingdom of Ellenoria, was to give pocket money and directions, but the rules dictates that when a servant leaves the citadel for good, no contact may ever be given in returned.

They’ve been given an extravagant life by raising them in the Sanctuary; clothes, food, a place to sleep, extensive education, and everything. The cruelty must be set upon those who has taken that generosity from the Honored household, then simply thrown it to the side when it suits them.

As Madelyn looms above the tremoring servant, she has loose blonde hair running down her bosoms and spine with a sinister smile, “I don’t think I’ll ever forgive you for bringing shame upon me. No, I won’t… ever. You’re nothing to me, but I’m glad that you’re only a recently arrived servant from last year. Because… it means: I couldn’t care less about what happens to a worthless bitch with a loose mouth. Hmm… Yes, I think I need to show how I deal with traitors in my wing.”

“Strip her of her possessions. EVERYTHING!” Madelyn yelled to all her surrounding servants, not sparing anyone who dares to not listen to her command.

The vultures of servants descend upon the feeble teenager; ripping out her given earrings, her setup hairdo, her servant’s clothes, down to her underwear, even pulling them away as the crying never ends. And as the vultures leave the carcass lying there on the crimson carpet all curled up into a ball, trying to cover herself up from her nakedness with her legs and arms, Madelyn shows no pity towards the lower life form which lies there in the most degrading state possible.

Numerous eyes gaze at the naked servant, some with pitiful eyes, some with unfazed eyes, and some with leering eyes thinking that it serves her right. If only her mouth kept quiet about what she heard in this room when night had taken over while Madelyn performed her lustful act alone on her bed as she thought of the man she wants…

“Know this: It was your own fault for pushing me to say this, but you’ve given me no choice than to enforce this judgment on you,” Madelyn said as she straightens herself with a head turning upwards while her azure eyes stare down at the pathetic creature lying there. She can’t help but grin as she passes her decree onto this poor soul.

“I, Madelyn Tertin, the second daughter of this Honored household, takes full responsibility in declaring that this deceiver shall be tossed out for high treason against her promised oaths of servitude to her Mistress; you two! Take her through the Sanctuary to show what happens to traitors in my wing, and then throw her out of the city. She may never return to Tertinum ever again. Go, I want her out of my sight!”

“NOOOO! PLEASE, MISTRESS! FORGIVE ME! FORGIVE ME!” the servant howled with crawling hands and feet trying to go towards her, but as Madelyn sees the naked girl coming, she simply walks back to her table where the rest of her food lies. “I DON’T WANT TO LEAVE! PLEASE! PLEASE, MISTRESS! —AH, MISTRESS! NOOO, LET GO, PLEASE! I BEG OF YOU, I DON’T WANT TO GO OUTSIDE, PLEASE!”

“Wait,” Madelyn said with a raised hand as the two servants who’re dragging the weeping girl away, stops. Which gives the girl relief in her sorrowful heart, but that relief shatters as soon as it materializes. “Put her in some cheap tattered clothes before you take her through my sister’s wing, now take her out of here.”

“NOOOOOO! NOOO! NOO!” the girl cried while trying to get loose, but the servants Madelyn picked to carry out her orders, trains in the Sanctuary’s battle-school, so their strength exceeds hers by a large margin.

Then as the door closes behind the screaming teenager, Madelyn continues to eat while having a pleased smile as she continues to chew her juicy steak without any worries in the world.

A ruthless spoiled girl.

…………

“Ma-Malinda, are you sure this is okay?” Xe’Reth hesitantly said as three pairs of servants’ eyes stare intently at his half-dressed body. He’s merely in his pants and shoes, yet his lean chest shows to the three smiling women who stands by a round wooden tub which’s filled with steaming water. They’re middle-aged women in their thirties or forties though he can’t help but feel nervous with those eyes upon him.

“Oh please, Xe’Reth, don’t be so dramatic. They’ve been trained to make a person relax while they massage the muscles to relieve stress from the body. I’ve been washed by them many times before, and I come out refreshed every time, especially after a battle at the Ebon Wall,” Malinda assured with Xe’Reth’s arm around her, being totally wrapped by him. And she enjoys every second of it as it displays on her beaming expression.

“But, I’m a man… Shouldn’t you be the only one that touches me? Because they’re, well, women.” Xe’Reth whispered into Malinda’s ear, but upon hearing what Xe’Reth said, she can’t help but giggle in delight from his innocent ways.

“X-Xe’Reth… you’re so adorable! Don’t be nervous, let them handle everything. Of course, they’ll only wash your body, not your private parts. I’m not going to let anyone el—I mean… Xe’Reth! Listen!” Malinda shouted at his now recoiling face as she becomes irritated at her own slip of the tongue. “You’ll have to get used to it like I’ve said, many times now. And as the choosing is coming around. Servants will compete to be able to become a handmaiden, but as those positions are full at the moment, only servants for the different wings will be chosen… Though…”

“Hmm?” Xe’Reth raises a brow at her reluctance in saying her next sentence.

“Well… I think I’m going to speak to someone I know, and appoint a handmaiden for you. But of course, if you think that you can touch her, I’ll kill you myself…” Malinda scowled deeply as she grabs onto his chin, making him gain a forced smile with a chuckle as he sees her dead serious narrowed eyes.

“I wouldn’t dream of ever doing that, Malinda. Though, I would certainly dream of touching you…” Xe’Reth grins with closed eyes, but in his mind, he screams out whatever he feels about this sudden troubling news. ‘Dammit, what I don’t need is a handmaiden following me around wherever I go…’

“Oh Xe’Reth, you dog…” Malinda smilingly said with a blink of her eye as she gently whips her hand on his chest, though her blue globes turn wide when she realizes what she just said. “Xe’Reth, I didn’t mean that, I… I… I meant…”

“That I’m a naughty dog?” Xe’Reth chuckled with a responding blink while his hand that rests on her shoulder begins rubbing up and down her arm to comfort her. “No need to be reserved, Malinda. But… This handmaiden deal, can’t we skip that? I mean, I don’t need anyone to help me with anything. I can handle everything just fine.”

“If it were so simple, Xe’Reth,” Malinda said with a shaking head. “If we had a male servant ready to take the oath, you would get him. But as we raise female servants only, we need to assign them to places they don’t want to go. Though, serving a man has almost none in the Sanctuary experienced, other than my brother, which Celyssa assigns people to, heh, senior servants, never anyone young—What I’m trying to say is, I’ll need to assign a handmaiden or two to you, even if you like it or not. Because sooner or later, you’ll need to help around the citadel. I won’t have you laying around all day. Sure, taking care of your mother is good and all, but responsibilities will fall upon you as the years go by. Do you understand what I’m trying to say?”

“That if I don’t have a handmaiden, then I won’t have any time… Uhm… to spend with you?” Xe’Reth forced a chuckle. “No, but I understand. The handmaiden that you’ll assign to me will help me with all kinds of tasks which will be placed upon me as you said. And the handmaiden will also… Yes, she will also be in charge of all the servants who’ll be under me, isn’t that right?”

“Xe’Reth, that… That’s exactly what I meant!” Malinda said joyously as her one arm wraps his waist, then turns her gaze to the three women who hasn’t spoken yet, only standing by to be given orders. “Ehem, well, while you clean him, ladies, I’ll go wash too and change to a more proper attire for dinner. When I return, I want him fully clothed with his prepared garments, understand?”

“As you wish, Miss,” the three servants curtsies with hands clutching to their stomachs; all wearing the regular servants’ outfit, while all of them have bun hairstyles, exactly similar to Taryna’s and Tanya’s.

With that, Malinda puckers her lips while closing her eyes.

Xe’Reth’s palm places behind her head as he pulls her to him, but it lasts just a second, then as he releases his lips and grip, she strides to the door. But turns quickly around to wave a goodbye, and he smiles while doing the same.

The double-doors closes behind Malinda as she steps into the hallway, leaving Xe’Reth there in his mother’s quarters with three adult women who looks rather excited for some reason though one breathes in somewhat uneven breaths.

‘Better just get it over with,’ Xe’Reth thought as he takes a deep breath with his headache still pulsating. He exhales a sigh in defeat as he goes over to the three ladies who waits for him to remove the rest of his clothes, which he’s rather reluctant to do, but he does remove them.

He unties his pants, removes his dirty shoes, and pulls down his pants while taking his underwear with him.

Two out of the three servants cover their mouths since it’s probably the first time they’ve seen a man naked before, but the last stares in absolute shock as she sees his private area. Her eyes curls upwards into her head as she goes limp, while both of the mouth-covering servants grabs ahold of their fainted companion.

“I-I’m sorry, Sir, she has never seen a man’s—She means no disrespect, I assure you,” one of the women said while supporting the fainted servant as the other woman, too, helps.

“I’ll just go and sit down in the tub, you really don’t need to help, I can perfectly manage on my o—.”

“No, Sir, please! We must follow our Mistress commands, if she were to find out, she would be mad at us for not doing our jobs. So please, Sir, let us help you after we’ve set her down on a chair to rest. She has always been delicate. And since we’re bath servants, we’ve never been outside of the citadel. Not even left our Mistress wing or the Sanctuary. Relax and we’ll be there in a moment,” the servant desperately said with pleading eyes, then she guides the unconscious thirty-year-old to the long table.

‘Dear me, all this kowtowing turns my stomach, though, I can’t really blame them when they’re raised in this kind of a secluded environment with rules on how to act without question,’ Xe’Reth thought as he nakedly puts one foot into the hot water, turning his eyes wide as the sensation hits him.

Warmth.

A warmth he has never felt previously, other than when he lived a carefree life with his mother before the disease. With another foot into the tub, he lowers himself with hands on the tub’s edge. He grins with teeth showing while his eyebrows furrow since it has been such a long time ago when has he felt such a sense of comfort.

Xe’Reth gazes at the servants who lowers the fainted lady onto a chair while they whisper so Xe’Reth can’t hear, but it’s Xe’Reth, and nothing escapes his ears, “Did you see… I thought a man’s, well, I thought it would be… Was his… Was it… Erected?”

“It wasn’t!” Xe’Reth blatantly shouted as the servants startlingly yelps from his annoyed voice. But he forces out an innocent smile. “Oh sorry, I didn’t mean to yell, carry on.”

‘Seriously, they’re adults! Is this how everyone acts here? So inexperienced, so gullible, and—ah my head hurts. I need to calm down for my meeting with Malinda’s brother and his wife, and Madelyn. Though I rather not meet that arrogant girl. But I guess I need to restrain myself from showing any ill intent towards her,’ Xe’Reth lowers his whole body until his head only shows, then closes his eyes to drift away into the beyond…

………

In Malinda’s own quarters, she stands fully naked with water going up to her knees in her own bathtub that had been brought in yesterday night. She’s being catered by two younger girls whose sleeves has folded up to not be drenched while they wash their Mistress.

The bathtub’s placement stands in a corner with screens to cover from any unwanted eyes, but those eyes are nonexistent.

Her quarters splits into three parts, her bedroom where she’s now, her armory and dressing room, and last but not least, her own place of relaxation where she would knit and sew her worries away, which’s where the entrance to get to Malinda’s bedroom is at.

On the north side of all the walls in her quarters, shines the light in through the windows of different shapes and glass material. Colored painted glass, regular see-through glass, and misty glass which are in the dressing room and armory.

Yet, the decoration has the exact similarity to Theresa’s quarters; in her resting room, a hearth flames to give out its warmth, the carpeted floor, and the crimson-red drapes that are tied beside the windows. Everything similar, since Malinda has her own furnisher that buys all of her wanted merchandise, namely, Tanya.

“Tanya, why would Celyssa push up the dinner? She has always wanted it to be at the exact time every day. Even if Xe’Reth came here today, she wouldn’t change it for him,” Malinda said calmly as she, too, scrubs her own body with a clean towel, as her back and hair is tended to by her two younger servants.

“Why of course, Miss, it’s because you’re the first of the Tertin daughters to spread your womanly charms to nab a man into the family. So she must be nervous I might think since she does control most of the ins and outs of the citadel,” Tanya responded behind the screens while readying the dress she had purchased a month ago, which has her in a beaming mood. Finally, she’ll get her Miss into a lovely dress and not in those clunky armor garments.

“Ah, ah, easy with the combing,” Malinda scolded as her head tilts to one side, but as the servant relaxes her worried combing hand, she pulls out the comb to repeat, in a slower stroke. “Ah yes, Xe’Reth had said something before. That Celyssa’s family is corrupt, what do you think of that, Tanya?”

“Unquestionably, Miss,” Tanya responded immediately yet calmly while she dusts off the dress with wiping hands, but her eyes widen. “I… It’s not my place to say, I’m sorry.”

“So you’re saying they’re corrupt? Tell me, what do you know?” Malinda asked with a raised hand to stop her two servants from cleaning her, and they lower their hands obediently.

“You know that time when your in-law tried to charm you, yet failed miserably when you sent him on his way? Celyssa instigated that idea. A servant heard your in-law while he was leaving the citadel, truly a mumbling person he is,” Tanya replied with a nod of her head, yet hidden from Malinda. “And there has been other times, too, when your in-laws acted like complete pigs, treated servants as if they were nothing but insects. Though, those servants were quieted, but some still talked even when they were told to not speak. Your sister was also targeted I heard, but Honored Lady Madelyn is the most tenacious person I know. Well of course, there is you, Miss.”

“Tanya…”

“Well, you’ve acted like your sister at times, you know…” Tanya replied coolly in her defense while nodding again in secret. “But I can’t say for sure if they’re corrupt or not—disgusting is a word more appropriate for them. Because I’m so relieved that none managed to convince you… Malinda my Mistress. So extremely relieved that you’ve no idea.”

“You like Xe’Reth then?” Malinda curiously asked as she’s being wiped by her two servants with towels, not even caring where they touch because they’re bath servants who’re only fifteen years old. Trained to not make their Mistress displeased. And as Malinda raises her arms, they tie a towel around her body, making merely her thighs downwards and arms show. Then she raises her head backward, so her wet blonde hair hangs while the servants wrap another towel around her head.

“Yes, he isn’t a poor choice. But only time will tell if I’ll truly like him, Miss. As it hasn’t gone that long yet,” Tanya responded as Malinda comes out behind the screens with her two shorter servants at her heels. “He must’ve finished washing and been fitted into his clothes by now… So this time, I won’t hear any of your complaints, you’ll wear this dress.”

“But…” Malinda uttered with a worried frown, staring at the beautiful dress of scarlet silk. Made with the help from the Ebon-Spinner, a dangerous centipede worm. Its silk produces a finely made string for clothes. But it’s expensive to the point that only Honored Ones or the highest nobles got the assets to buy such a grand gift. Though, Tanya does handle most of the purchases. However, she doesn’t buy much, unlike Madelyn’s handmaidens.

“No buts. It’s already getting late. And don’t you want to show how beautiful you can be in front of Xe’Reth?” Tanya snapped with a pointing hand, not giving any respite to her Mistress.

“Alright, I’ll listen…” Malinda sighed as her head droops, making the towel break off, but the servants wrap it up again.

…………

“How does it fit, Sir?” the servants asked with eyes seeking Xe’Reth’s answer of approval while tightened lips press in worry.

“A little tight, but that’s to be expected. As these clothes were probably already made when they were bought, correct?” Xe’Reth responded while adjusting his body in his new black and red clothes. Arms doing circles, stretches, and pump movements to test the attire’s durability.

It’s a coat jacket which fits tightly around his body, yet not making him any warmer, while black pants fit him like a glove. Under the jacket rests a deep scarlet shirt that shows from the unbuttoned jacket while red buttons go down at the front, fastening it in place. The jacket has red embroidered patterns on it, too, making it an expensive purchase.

“Yes, Sir. As it would usually take a long period of time to make such clothes as this, but thankfully the store is at its peak of popularity in the city at the moment, so the store has an abundance of clothes in stock, Tanya told us,” the woman said as she gazes with critique eyes, to see if the clothes fits him right. Which they do, thankfully, as she breathes out a sigh of relief while folding Xe’Reth’s collar down to finish the last touching of the attire. “What do you think, does he need anything else?”

“Not that I can see,” the other woman said with a hand holding her chin as her head tilts. “Maybe polish his shoes perhaps?”

As Xe’Reth stands there motionless while they inspect him, but not the fainted servant who’s now sitting in a self-loathing position on a chair by the long-table. “Hmm?” Xe’Reth’s perception goes alert as he hears a wailing girl’s voice getting closer and closer. It’s coming from outside the doors, which turns him in that direction.

“Sir…?” one of the women asked questionably with flickering eyes as she sees the frown upon his eyebrows. “Sir, what’s the matter? Have… have we—Sir?!”

Xe’Reth strides to the double-doors leading out to the corridor, and as he opens them hastily with narrowed eyes, he witnesses a young girl who’s dressed in rags. She’s forcibly carried by the two servants in a dreadful manner while the girl’s swollen eyes floods with tears. Her sorrowful and desperate grimace turns Xe’Reth’s expression into pure anger as he lowers his brows to scowl even deeper.

“What’s the meaning of this?!” Xe’Reth bellowed at the top of his lungs as his arm stretches out to point at the two servants who’re carrying the girl, feeling his horrible headache as he points.

Both of Madelyn’s servants gasps in surprise as they witness Xe’Reth who’s dressed in an attire fit for the man he’ll later become. Yet, they immediately know who he is, for they’re walking through Malinda’s wing, which’s allowed if they’re going to the Sanctuary. But, they don’t show any reverence towards him. They just stand in a frozen position as Xe’Reth walks frowningly up to them.

Yet, in the weeping girl’s mind, she remembers all of her teachings, and one special circumstance comes to her anguished thought, which she can take advantage of right now. She manages to squeeze out of their grasping hands to begin crawling towards Xe’Reth while wailing, “Please Sir, please! Help me! I don’t want to be thrown out of the citadel! Sir, please, take me into your service, I beg of you!”

Xe’Reth stares at this younger girl, but as he ponders about what Malinda said before: That he needs to get a handmaiden, he grins inwardly… ‘Perfect…!’

………

Thanks for reading!

Damn, I need to shorten the chapters because they're going up to 6.5k words. Well, at least, this one is. I should stay in the range of 4.5-5.5k words.

Ahem, do you think I'm introducing too many characters?

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