CHAPTER 5

I ROLLED ON MY BED, my eyes still closed as I hid under my blanket. I could sense someone's presence near me, but instead of checking whoever it was, I buried my face even more on my pillow.

I'm already awake, but my body feels heavy. I was in the middle of focusing back to sleep when I remembered the incidents from last night.

"What the–" I jolted up, my eyes springing widely in confusion. I felt a pang on my head as I sat up on my bed. I was even more confused when I realized that I was currently in my room. "But I clearly remembered losing consciousness outside because of that pact?" I mumbled to myself.

"I brought you back here, master."

If it were possible, my eyes would have widened even more when I turned my head and saw the spir–no, the mystical beast I summoned last night.

"Pandora!" I exclaimed. Why is he smaller now? The sudden question in my head was answered when Pandora spoke again.

"I figured I should change my appearance to avoid overusing your mana."

I was immersed with Pandora looking like a mini version of himself. He resembles a cat. A cat with three tails and shawl-like fur around his neck. And a bit of a resemblance with that creature from last night.

Speaking of last night. "What about my back?" I said as I instinctively reached for my back and surprisingly, there was no after pain of some sort.

"I healed the pain away last night, master. And don't worry about the seal on your back, it won't be visible to anyone, and it will only glow when you use my power."

"I see." I frowned at his answer. I'm still trying to get used to him talking inside my head. It blows my mind to know how mystical beasts are aware of things.

The books wrote them like some sort of animal with powers. "Truly unjustified," I whispered.

"Someone's approaching your room, master," Pandora said then he disappeared into thin air.

Woah. That's some helpful notifier. I chuckled to myself as I got out of bed. I did a few stretches while waiting for Marina and Scarlet, the name of the girl I picked up yesterday. I was sure that I ordered them to wake me up early.

"Good morning, my lady. Marina has something to do that she asked me to help you prepare instead," Scarlet said, her head lowered while her hands clutched the bowl of water she was holding.

There wasn't any sign of trouble, but her clothes looked messy. Did Marina lend her an old uniform or something? But why is she trembling?

I remained quiet as I let her help me. I wore a pink dress, adorned with a couple of frills on the chest and a pink butterfly hair ornament for my hair. Once we were done, we headed downstairs. I was planning to eat in my room, but I'll go look for Marina first and take my breakfast in the garden.

Scarlet followed behind me as I headed to the servant's quarters in the main building. There are four buildings in the Eveningstar estate: the main building, the east and west building, and the back building.

We're all currently in the main building, including the servants attending to us personally.

I was about to go inside the servant's quarters when Scarlet stopped me by grabbing a small part of my dress. I looked at her, frowning at her sudden actions.

"So, you won't really apologize for defending your pitiful master, huh? Did you adopt her arrogant attitude to act like this, Marina?" A loud voice yelled, and it was followed by a slap.

Scarlet flinched upon hearing a few noises inside and she quickly let go of my dress. I frowned as I stood by the door. It sounded like the head maid. Were they being punished for serving me?

A sense of anger filled my chest as the memories of being abused by these lowly servants slowly flashes right before my eyes.

It was when the servants had figured out that their masters hated me. They started the abuse by feeding me rotten food, and sometimes stale bread that I can't even consume.

And with the lack of choice I had, I would still eat them only to fill the void in my stomach. The food will make me sick for a few days, but I thought it was alright than to starve every day.

I assumed that my father and brothers were aware of the abuse I've been receiving from the servants, and that they chose to turn a blind eye because of the hate they felt for me. I remained hopeful though, that someday they will all look at me with eyes full of warmth.

I was that pathetic little child who yearned for her family's affection. Even if the servants mocked me and hit my young body, I wouldn't say anything against them. I was so focused on gaining their favor that I had neglected myself back then.

And remembering those memories infuriates me so much.

I held onto the doorknob and twisted it open. The servants inside were surprised to see me standing at the door. I didn't want to control myself, so I threw a menacing glare at the head servant who was now gripping Marina's hair.

How dare you punish my servant?

"Was it always part of your job to punish servants that serve me, Head Maid Florence?" My aura had completely changed and the mana I've been suppressing slowly filled the room.

The servants who were bullying Marina just a while ago looked scared like a mouse trapped in a corner. "And here I was, wondering the probable reason why the other servants disliked me. I honestly considered myself a brat, but then, I think I was wrong to think that way."

"My lady. I'm the head maid of this estate, and I'm only doing my job!" She protested.

"Your job, you say. But all I can see here is a power abuser having fun in front of me."

My eyes were filled with the resentment I buried a few years back. Everything I was hiding to control myself slowly disappeared, and only anger emerged within me. I went closer towards them, even Marina looked terrified.

"My lady. You should go back to your room, and let me deal with this," Florence said with that arrogant smile on her face.

I only stepped closer to her, and my actions made her frown. "My lady! I ask you to leave at–" Before she could finish her words, I raised my hand and slapped her across her cheek.

I could hear the maids gasping by my sudden actions. Oh. But I wouldn't stop there.

"You insolent child!" Florence screamed at me. Her face was red, and her eyes looked as if she could strangle me.

And instead of answering her, another slap landed on her left cheek. The anger on my chest boiled in a sense of satisfaction as I continued to slap her cheeks. The splatters of blood staining on her skin didn't stop me from hurting her.

I didn't want to stop even when I felt the numbness trickling on my hand. Do I refer to this as vengeance?

"What are you doing?" The cloud of resentment brewing in my head dissipated when Caspian's annoying voice pulled me back to my senses. He quickly grabbed my hand to stop me from hurting the head maid even more.

"Here comes the knight," I muttered under my breath, I couldn't suppress the hate that's eating me. I watched as Caspian helped the head maid, and I could feel my heart darkening when I saw that small smirk on that woman's blood-stained face.

I could feel a surge of power spiraling all over my body. I was set to burning this condescending fool to ashes.

"Master. You must calm down or you'll burn everyone," Pandora's voice filled my head like a bucket of cold water waking me up from a nightmare.

I exhaled loudly, trying to let go of this ugly emotion before turning my back on them.

"Are you out of your mind, Elisse?" Caspian shouted.

You don't know how much I'm trying to control myself, idiot.

"Can you shut up?" I said, not even bothering to look at him. I focused my attention on my wounded servants. "Scarlet, bring Marina to my room then call for the physician," I ordered her before turning around to look at the head maid. "I hope this won't happen again, Florence. I'll burn you to ashes if you touch my servants again," I warned her.

Caspian looked confused, but that's not my business. They should stop feigning ignorance about this house's treatment towards me.

But it seemed like this bastard doesn't really know when to stop.

Caspian grabbed my wrist, pulling me back, as if he didn't intend to let me go until I answered him.

"Let go of my hand, Caspian." I could feel him flinch when I turned my head and called him by his name.

"What's wrong with you? Is this your new hobby now? Hurting the servants?" He shouted, eyes furrowed and filled with anger as he looked down on me.

I let out a loud sigh then reached for my head using my free head. I was starting to feel breathless, suffocated from all the annoying emotions filling my chest. I feel like I could explode any minute here.

"Shut your mouth just for once. Your voice irritates the hell out of me. And you speaking from an outsider point of view vexes me. Shut your mouth and stop talking as if you know anything about my situation here, young master," I blurted out the words with hate laced on them.

My gaze fell on his hand holding my wrist. "And I wouldn't want to hurt the duke's precious son, so let go of my hand while I'm still asking nicely," I whispered coldly.

He was startled by my words and the way I spoke to him. His hand loosened around my wrist, and I took that as my chance to escape that filthy room.

"MARINA, DON'T DO THAT ever again," I said. "Standing up for me is not worth it. Believe me, it's not." I sat in front of them, watching how Scarlet helped Marina dress her wounds.

The physician just finished checking on her, and he had left us after to attend to another patient. Marina sobbed.

We weren't close enough, and it's only been a few days since she was assigned to personally serve me. Is she wavering now because of the other servants' barbaric treatment towards her?

Another sigh escaped my lips. "If you wish to leave my side, you are free to do so," I told her, trying to lift off any guilt she must be feeling.

She didn't answer and continued to cry on her seat, even Scarlet who was beside her was silent. "The two of you can take your meal after that," I said as I stood up.

I spare them another glance before leaving my room. Sadness somehow managed to knock on my heart. It felt weird feeling this way because of someone, but I couldn't help it.

It's been a while since I felt this kind of emotion. If I could, I would want to refrain from feeling anything anymore.

"Elisse?" I halted when I heard the duke calling me. "Can you spare me a moment for a cup of tea?" He added.

I forced myself to show my greetings to him. "Good morning, your grace. I apologize for not noticing you right away." I still wasn't accepting his request, but I guess he didn't ask me to hear my answer.

"Follow me. Let's have some tea," he said in a way that he would not accept any kind of rejection.

A soft sigh escaped my lips as I followed him. I was so distracted with my own thoughts that I didn't notice where we were going.

A frown subtly bloomed on my face. This was the front garden where the duke usually enjoys his tea. And I heard how his youngest child liked this place.

Are you kidding me now?

I was still surprised, and a little annoyed, when I took my seat on one of the chairs. I didn't allow him to pull my chair, showing my change of mood.

I watched as one of the servants who bullied Marina prepared the tea. What is the duke insinuating this time? Is he trying to show this pesky trash that he'll punish me for touching their servants?

Once again, the anger inside me boiled. I glanced at my teacup that looked awfully full after the servant had poured tea on it then my vision shifted back on the duke.

There was a moment of silence. He was starting to drink his tea silently as if he were lost in a trance, and I only stared at him.

"Your Grace," I called him to get his attention. "Do you hate me so much?" It was a question I've been dying to ask. The question that led me to believe that I needed to change myself for them. "If you hated me so much, then why did you keep me?"