Episode 3: Stop, I Beg of You (2)

“Pick one.” 

“W-What? A-Are you sure?” Reene doubted the sanity of this man.

“No, you’re right. Rather, pick more than one, you’ll be using them in the future after all.” Kairen affirmed. 

Reene’s eyes shook like an earthquake, jumping between the hundreds of options displayed before her.

What if this was some kind of ploy? 

It had been almost a month since Kairen began attending the academy. And every weekend, he would return ‘home’ to spend some of his time with her.

Reene who had come to rely on his kindness felt as if it was slowly developing into an addiction. It was a sort of poison that would consume her the deeper she fell into dependency.

The desire to let go and indulge completely in his care was slowly overwhelming her. She wasn’t sure how badly she would break, if he were to suddenly reveal that this entire ‘kindness’ thing had been an ‘act’ from the start.

The beautiful jewel beckoned her with their mesmerising allure. Vibrant hues and intricate adornments, it was in a girl’s nature to find delight in small accessories. 

More so as someone who almost never been given a chance to buy something she liked, Kairen’s generosity swayed her heart immediately.

“I don’t need them.” Nails dug into her palms. She would not let small fancies tempt her. 

For the sake of her own life, even if it hurt, she would not yield.

Kairen didn’t press for an answer. Instead, he picked out one among the hundred of accessories available and simply purchased it.

It was a simple hair pin. The design was somewhat odd, and it did not contain a jewel. A plain, flat-carved copper oval with glyph-like twirls unfurling inside.

“Even if you don’t want it.” Kairen forced the accessory into her grasp.

In a daze, Reene stared at her own hands.… not knowing why she secretly felt joy down inside.

⌌✧ ⫺⪼▫◆▫⪻⫹ ✧⌍

It had been a little more than three weeks since Reene moved out of her own room and stayed at an inn.

It served as a suitable living space for Reene who had no certainty of safety living in her own room. Basic amenities were provided, bath services were available around the clock, and food no longer proved an issue.

Reene could live comfortably here.

“Can you… leave now?”

“What? It’s been weeks, I haven’t done anything to threaten you have I now?” Kairen said exasperatedly. Then with a resigning sigh, he turned to look out the window. “Whatever. I have class tomorrow so you’ll be on your own again for the next few days.” 

“I’ll be fine by myself… you’re probably just trying to make me think you’re worried about me.”  Reene remained guarded, keeping herself close to the door to escape if he ever changed his mind.

“Perhaps so.” Kairen muttered. 

Leaving some money on the table, he then walked towards the door. Reene gave way. 

“This is just a temporary measure. Eventually when things stabilise, I’ll be able to afford better things, so until then this is as much as I can do to slowly regain your trust.” Kairen said.

“I know…” Reene didn’t know how many times he had repeated this point of ‘no matter how long it takes, I will regain your trust’.

“Be careful at night.” He reminded me. “And call for help if something happens”

As the door closed at his departure, Reene’s first action was to seize the lock.

She didn’t yet trust her brother, but she wanted to.

The only reason she allowed him to enter her room was because every time she did, the possibility that he actually cared about her, strengthened more and more.

It was a flawed reasoning, the possibility of it being a lie was scary.

She didn’t know how long this life would last. All these comforts provided by him, will it suddenly all just disappear one day?

Reene made her way over to the table and collected the money Kairen had left behind. From the corner of her eye, she saw the hairpin he bought laying there.

After contemplating a long while, she decided to try it on.

Using the small mirror attached to the cupboard, she adjusted the copper pin nestled in her hair.

It appeared boring. Nothing in particular about it caught people’s eyes. The design itself wasn’t appealing either.

Yet somehow the presence of it on her hair reminded her of him.

The fact that he bought ‘something’ for her. It wasn’t the item, rather the consideration which made it… invaluable.

A warm emotion she hadn’t felt ever since she separated from her mother, surged within her. 

And sooner than she could accept these feelings, an undercurrent of sadness filled her heart.

She didn’t know how to make heads or tails of it. It frustrated her. She dove into her bed and forced herself to not think about it.

Did Kairen really change? Why did he change? Did he really change? Was it a lie?

No. What if it really was an act? Just like her, could it be that he had to resort to extreme behaviour in order to survive? Moving to the academy, now that he was no longer restricted by the control of his father’s watching eye, could it be that he had finally dropped his act?

Reene really didn’t know. Emotion and thought. Which she should believe in?

The Kairen you once knew is dead.

The turmoil in her heart and mind swelled, that night she tossed and turned for hours.

Eventually, time gave way and fatigue settled in. Reene’s calmed herself, promising herself that the next time he saw her brother, she would find out the truth.

She closed her eyes, surrendering to slumber—until a few light knocks resounded at the door.

“...Brother?” Having thought of him the whole night, it was the first thing she assumed.

She climbed out of bed and made her way to the door.

“...Huh?” And then she noticed. It was already so late out, there was no way the person behind the door could be Kairen.

Reene shrank back in fear. Silence prevailed following the earlier series of knocks.

The cold night breeze caressed Reene’s cheeks.

Panicking, she quickly turned towards the window. A passing shadow loomed, and before she could scream, something—or someone had sealed her mouth with a cloth.

The world spun, darkness fell over.

Before she knew it, she had fallen unconscious

… When she woke up, she learnt that she had been branded a slave.

She tried hard to hold onto that belief, thinking that he had no part in this ploy.

Bit by bit, whittling away at her mind. Her hope turned to desperation.

She believed he would be the one to save her. For he said he would be there for her.

They would get out of this ‘hell’ together.

In the end, those were all just lies… weren’t they?

Reene’s eyelids trembled.

Instead of the cold, hard floor. She was greeted to an unfamiliar gentleness upon waking.

The sensation of a soothing hand stroking her head could still be felt even as her dream came to an end.

She opened her eyes and saw a pair of pearly white legs. Her flowing white nightgown gently draped around her figure like overlapping rivers of silk. 

Lifting her gaze, she witnessed those jewel amethyst eyes containing a soothing warmth. There was a raw beauty in that vulnerable expression—a glimpse of her true nature during the unguarded moments of dawn. 

“Did you have a nightmare again?” Astraea said as she wiped off a tear from the corner of Reene’s eye.

Overwhelmed by the sense of warmth, Reene broke down crying once more.

A week had passed since she had been bought off the auction.

⌌✧ ⫺⪼▫◆▫⪻⫹ ✧⌍

One can’t allow the past to ruin the present and future. Those heinous days were bygones, and it wasn’t appropriate to let those memories destroy the new life Reene had ahead of her.

As the Winterfall manor’s new maidservant and slave, it was Reene’s duty to be of service to Astraea however she could.

As routine would have it, a few of the maids would be stationed at the dining hall to serve the family during meal time. 

And it was Reene’s first time having this shift where she stood witness to Winterfall’s breakfast gathering.

The dining hall was huge.

The Duke and Duchess seated side by side, while their first daughter (Astraea) and second son (Dylan) sat on the other face of the table with a one seat gap between them.

The space between Astraea and Dylan could be seen as the seat reserved for the family’s eldest, Hayden Winterfall. However, as he had yet to return from the Northern Blight’s Border, it was left empty.

Reene felt anxious, having never served in this kind of position. While it didn’t appear like anyone minded the presence of a new face, she still felt uncomfortable knowing her role here was to simply to stand around. 

“Dylan, how have your classes been?” Astraea’s voice rang.

“M-My classes? I… I’m learning a lot from them. Thank you for asking, sister.” He answered stiffly.

“I see.” Astraea accepted his response as so. “You may have my pudding if you wish.” 

“A-Ah… I’m grateful… and will respectfully d-decline. I’m satisfied with just this one…” Dylan’s expression soured. 

Finishing his share of dessert, he kept glancing over at Astraea’s untouched milk custard—showing that indeed his words were at odds with the true desire in his heart.

Astraea nodded. While her expression didn’t change, one could sense her disappointment.

It wasn’t easy to change people’s perception of yourself once it had been fixed.

Meanwhile from the parent’s standpoint, a silent affirmation could be seen at their daughter’s attempts at amending her relationship with their youngest.

“In that case… Reene, would you like to have the pudding?” Astraea asked, turning to Reene. 

She froze. A familiar fear gripped her. It felt as if the kindness she was receiving now would disappear again if she took too much of it…

“It’s fine milady, you should have it.” Reene couldn't bring herself to accept it. 

“Sit here.”

“…?”

“Don’t make me repeat myself. Sit.” Astraea pulled out the empty chair beside her. 

“Milady, but…” Reene knew that as a mere servant, it was inappropriate to sit in on a meal between nobles, moreso when this was a duke’s household.

“Sit down, Reene.” Her demand was irrefutable.

Reene trembled all over. She turned to the other maids for help, they all merely smiled stoically—looks like she was on her own.

Swallowing hard, Reene forced herself to move. She sat down… on a table which was supposed to be reserved for nobles only.

Even without meeting the gazes of those around the table, she could already sense their bewilderment.

“Look at me.” Astraea voiced again. Reene raised her head warily— “Open your mouth.”

Reene almost fainted.

Astraea wanted Reene the milk custard.

What… why?!

Knowing that the result of refusal here would be another smack of, ‘I will not repeat myself’, Reene forced her lips to part.

And then the delicious pudding was placed into her small mouth. Astraea fed the dessert to Reene spoon by spoon, as if adoring a cute creature.

Reene’s face turned red.

Everyone felt warmed by the wholesome scene, except Dylan whose face twisted in grief.

Was this the reason Astraea called for her? To make Dylan jealous? 

Reene tried to analyse—

Actually, wait, no.

It wasn’t just Dylan. There was one other person in the room without a smile—Elysia. 

She was glaring daggers at her.

⌌✧ ⫺⪼▫◆▫⪻⫹ ✧⌍

After breakfast, Astraea left for the academy. Reene recalled that she would be having her written exam today, and so she silently prayed in her heart that her lady would do well.

Beginning from the morning to early evening, Reene was given a short orientation on the general duties of a maid, and then the general background of the Winterfall manor and their family. 

Reene felt comforted by the kindness the head maid had shown towards her despite being completely inexperienced.

It felt incredibly foreign.

Reene had a lot to learn starting out the first few weeks. So she would be tagging other more experienced maids on their rounds. 

However, since Astraea had desired Reene to be her exclusive maid, Reene’s priority would shift once the head maid deems her competent enough. 

She needed to strive to get better if she wanted to get there early.

It was hard work, but felt fulfilling. Compared to the dead, isolated days of the Copper household, being able to contribute to the well-being of a duke’s family made life more meaningful.

In the evening, Reene was outside the gate waiting for Astraea’s return from the academy.

Normally, Elysia would be the only one standing outside in wait. However, as they were both favoured maids, they stood together to wait.

Elysia for some reason… didn’t look too happy seeing Reene. 

“Um… was it because of this morning…” Reene, trying to be sincere, asked out of worry.

“I’m fine.” Elysia simply responded.

“Uh… I was just wondering if…” 

“I’m fine.”

“...Did I do something wrong…”

“I’m fine…”

“...I’m sorry…”

“…”

It definitely must’ve been because of what happened earlier in the morning.

Jealousy… that was the only explanation Reene could come to.

With two personal maid servants serving the lady in anticipation of Her Grace’s attention, favouritism was likely a point of contention. 

Though honestly, Reene didn’t mind relinquishing the upper seat if it would do away with the conflict. 

“Elysia, I—”

Before Reene could finish, a beautiful silver carriage could be seen riding in from afar. Upon reaching the estate, the coachmen went to the front and opened the carriage door. Elysia was the first to meet her, offering to lead her down.

“My lady, you’ve returned. How was the examination?” Elysia sounded happy as she spoke with the master. 

Astraea took her hand. “It wasn’t anything too hard.”

“My lady is… intelligent. I believe that Your Grace will do well no matter the test.” Elysia affirmed. 

Astraea nodded.

Then when she turned towards Reene who stood slightly distanced, Reene lowered her head to acknowledge her presence.

“W-Welcome back, milady,” Reene greeted.

“Yes. I’m back Reene.” Astraea responded gently. “How was your day?”

“My day…? It’s been… fun and maybe also meaningful? Miss Green taught me a lot about what to do as a maid. I don’t know a lot, but I’m still doing my best to learn so…” Mid-way through, Reene caught herself speaking too much aShe quickly shut her mouth.

“Keep up the good work.” Instead of the reprimanding Reene expected, Astraea lightly stroked her head. “I know it isn’t easy to overcome your past. So know that I’ll be here for you, no matter what. Though it may be hard at times, I believe you’ll turn those difficult moments into your strengths.” 

Reene’s heart quivered. It felt as if someone had poured alcohol into her head. Struggling to come up with a response to her unconditional kindness, “You were the one who saved me, I… hadn’t done anything. I hadn’t done anything at all milady…” 

Reene casted her gaze downwards. Seeing the overlapping shadows of three people on the ground… tears of uncertain emotions… fell from her eyes.

Astraea stroked her head again.

“I won’t let them hurt you ever again.”

She said. 

“I’ll make sure they pay for what they’ve done.”