Brenna's POV

That evening I lay in the large, fur-lined bed. I couldn't sleep at all. How could I? After everything that had happened in the last 12 hours, I was wide awake.

I was swept away by a strange Orcish man who lugged me through this place over his shoulder. Gods, that was so demeaning, but not as demeaning as Jasper calling me cute after trying to rush the whole place with a fire-poker.

My face felt hot again. "Cute," I muttered. "I'd like to show him cute."

I mean, the psycho used that same poker to cauterize himself. So I doubt anything I could muster would affect him.

I just felt so trapped and aggravated. As a child, I wanted to be tough. I used to slip out of the castle and pick fights with the servant boys; I tried to anyway. I even managed to scare away several marriage proposals.

I didn't want to be owned, like some pet that could be tamed and traded. But, I guess at some point, I just accepted that it was my duty to be a fragile flower destined to be a pawn in some alliance. Who knew it'd be with an Orc horde?

I huffed and tossed in bed. I wasn't sure what to make of all this. Would I ever see my home again? I wouldn't miss the terrible treatment, but that's all I've ever known.

Finally, I gave up on sleeping and paced around the room. I did this for a while until I sunk beside the bed and sobbed. At some point, I fell asleep on the floor.

The Next Morning

I slowly came to, remembering where I was, and wondered what time it was. It was hard to tell because there were no windows in the room. The only lights I had came from candles and the fireplace. There must have been passages dug for fresh air to reach underground because I could feel a slight air current, and the room began to get cold now that the hearth had burned out.

Still half asleep, I lay still a bit longer. I still felt tired and a bit stiff from sleeping on the floor. Just then, I heard a creak. Someone had opened the door. I began to panic not because I was afraid but because I didn't feel put together. Which was also embarrassing because I doubt an Orc cares about bedhead.

I refused the bath that evening because I didn't feel safe. The servant girl hadn't left me soap either. I sort of spot cleaned with a washcloth. There was no way I was getting naked. I had no way to lock the door. My hair was probably unkempt, and I felt dirty.

Luckily I was on the opposite side of the bed. I quickly ducked down.

"Lady Brenna," a husky voice said softly.

It was that same Orc who came to welcome me last night. My face turned red. I wasn't ready to face him after being against his bare chest and all.

"Are you alright," He asked.

Still ducked beside the massive bed, I answered. "I'm fine," my voice cracked.

"Did I wake you? "I'm sorry if I did." He spoke again before I could reply. "I just wanted to check on you and ask if you'd like to accompany me this morning. I'd like to show you around and have breakfast in our hall".

I immediately declined his offer, not wanting anyone to see me like this. "No, thank you," I snapped.

"I told you you don't need to be afraid. I'd like you to get to know our ways and discuss why you are here".

"I... it's not that I'm afraid. I'd just... rather stay here".

"Why, what is it?"

I stayed quite a moment trying to think of an excuse rather than tell him the truth. Then I heard him take a few steps into the room.

"No! I... I'm not decent," I cried out. I heard his footsteps stop.

"Well, I can give you time to get ready," He replied thoughtfully.

"How do you expect me to do that when you haven't given me soap or lavatory supplies? I haven't a change of clothes either," I snapped.

He paused a moment. "Why didn't you ask your the lady's maid or tell me last night when I spoke to you?"

"Because... I was afraid to ask. I thought it'd be rude, and I don't want anything from you," I said reluctantly.

He huffed. "Female, you confuse me. I will see what I can do. Next time you will tell me when you need something. Do you understand?"

I didn't answer, shocked at his request.

"I don't ask much of those who live within my walls, but I demand obedience. You should have told me. You will tell me next time." He commanded. I could hear the guilt in the voice. He must have felt bad about me not having the thing I needed.

His walls, I thought. What does that mean? Is he their chief? I quickly remembered that he was waiting for a reply.

"Yes, I understand," I whispered.

"Is there anything you need or wish to have?" He asked

"No," I quickly replied.

"I will be back with these things," he said. I heard him start to step away.

Before I knew what I was doing, the word "Wait" fell out of my mouth.

His footsteps stop. He didn't say anything. He just waited for me to finish.

"I just wanted to ask... What your name is." I said

"I'm sorry. I thought you already knew. I am chief Bloodborne."

I heard his footsteps once more, and the door closed behind him.

Then, I breathed out now that he was gone. I couldn't believe it. I had been rude to their chief today and almost stabbed him last night, and now he is going out to get me lavatory supplies. Was I imagining things? I felt guilty for snapping at him. Not because he was their chief but because he'd been kind to me after the way I've been to him.

I jumped up and went over to the vanity against the wall. I looked in the mirror and wasn't surprised by how I looked. "Thank the Gods I hid behind the bed," I thought. My hair was wild and sticking up on one side. The right side of my face was red and had lines engraved into it from sleeping.

I quickly rumbled through the drawers to find anything to fix this monstrosity before he comes back. Maybe then I can face him and apologize for snapping at him.