Chapter Three
The Boy
My first night in Master's house was incredible, to say the least. From the clean, healthy look of the handsome servant who answered the door to the equally clean conditions of the house. I would have felt guilty for sullying the place had I not been running for my life. When I first heard Master's stony voice calling out angrily, all I could think was, 'This is it; he's here.' Adrenaline coursed through me when we spoke and he finally agreed to let me stay. It was so exhilarating that I could hardly think, and certainly not object when they sent me to sleep with the slaves. Not that I minded; my previous master had all of his slaves sleep together on the floor of his basement, using only a single thin mattress and one sheet to hold all five of us.
My feelings became even more confusing when Hanji led me to the bath. Not only did they want me to bathe regularly, but he even took the time to show me how clean I should be and helped me dress. Granted, it was an actual dress that I was wearing. Hanji looked a little apologetic, but I didn't mind. It wasn't the first time I had been made to dress as a woman; but I'm still quite thankful it was my last. All thanks to Master Levi.
The state of the slave's quarters was immaculate when compared to my previous residence; each slave got their own beds and blankets and we even had books! Imagine my delight! When I ran here to this mansion I knew exactly where I was going: the ruthless Master A that all the other residents feared. Looking at things from the inside paints a very different picture. This master treats his slaves much better than I've heard of any other master around. The first thing I did when directed to my bed was grab one of them from the small nearby shelf and flop down to immerse myself. Disappointingly, it contained only pictures.
I had ignored all strange and nervous looks from the girls in the room; eager to just get some rest, but quickly the moment was interrupted. "What are you doing here?" The voice of the girl in the bed beside me was small and came out raspy. When I looked up from my pictures I noticed immediately that her eyes were red and puffy, and her hair has been disheveled in the way that happens when you've been crying into a pillow or something.
"Even if Hanji brought you, men aren't supposed to be here... even if they are dressed like that." A tall girl with brown hair and freckles says from the opposite wall. There's a girl in bed with her, hugging her around the waist and trying hard to ignore me completely.
"I'm a slave of Master A, just like all of you."
They looked shocked and appalled, and I could hear whispered protests among them. There were at least ten, maybe fifteen girls and I realized that my new matter must be quite wealthy, even if his estate isn't much larger than others in town. It doesn't take long for them to realize on their own that I was the one ringing the bell and making a scene, and that I ran away. I only hoped they realize that I was running from something much worse than this place, and don't attempt to run themselves. I dodged a few questions and remarks until it came time for lights out, and we had to be silent. Although we each lay in our beds, most were awake and restless. Time passes and soon the sounds of heavy breathing took over the room, and that was when my neighbor spoke again.
"You awake?"
"Yes."
"You looked sad... when you picked up the book. Why?" Her voice was sweet like honey once the gravel had faded from it.
"There are no words; only pictures. I was hoping to read some."
The sheets of the bed rustled and I could see her faint outline staring at me. "You can read?"
I instantly regret my answer. I didn't intend to let anyone else know how educated I am. "Uh... a bit. I was just hoping to practice, is all." My response seemed to warm her up to me. It was obvious neither of us would be sleeping well, so she joined me on my bed; sitting gingerly on the edge near my feet. We whispered about whatever came to mind, but the heaviness of our experiences made it difficult to act lightly. Soon, we were talking about the seriousness of our lives. I asked her why she had been crying, and she only mumbled something about 'usual slave duties' to be vague. I knew better, though. The way she flinched if anyone moved suddenly, and the way she seemed extra conscious of her frilly nightgown. "Are you in any pain?" I asked her as gently as I could. She nodded softly, and we both knew the pain she felt the most was in her heart. I gave her an understanding nod and made myself a promise: I would do my best to take the pain from her.
The next morning, Hanji arrived before the lights came on. I gave Petra, who had finally told me her name right before drifting to sleep, a light pat on the shoulder before following him downstairs. That was when he started my training, with little warning or explanation. Before I knew it, I was being handed the expensive looking kettle and various cans of tea leaves and spices. Hanji spat out ratio after ratio of different mixes the master likes and when he likes to have them. I dutifully prepared the one he mentioned as 'breakfast best', sweating nervously when he tried it. "Bitter." he tells me, but doesn't say if that's good or bad. I felt only his slender fingers pressing into my back as I am forced up the stairs to awaken our master. I had to listen carefully to Hanji as he quickly spat out what to do for this process, waiting for some reason until I was halfway up the stairwell to tell me.
The morning went well, surprisingly. Although master did indeed insult my tea, he didn't seem too bothered by it and even asked for my name. My name! It had been years since I'd gone by my own name, and it took a moment for me to fight back my tears. Eventually I meet again with my new teacher, Hanji, and he beckons me to follow him. He leads me back to the kitchens, and even further behind them to a hallway used only by servants. The long, plain corridor leads us to even more steps which he explained to be the entrance to the Servant's Quarters. The basement level of the mansion is huge, and it's obvious that the place was built with the exact intent to house people here. Many dark halls leading to small rooms and closets crisscross around, and we had to take a few lefts and a right until we hit a plain wooden door wearing the name 'Zoe'.
Hanji's room is as plain as one could expect. There's only an unmade bed with plain linens, a small desk and chair littered with trash, and a dresser. I stood awkwardly in the doorway until he beckoned me in, throwing open a smaller door in the corner to reveal a closet. My jaw stood slack as I watched him fling piece after piece of wrinkled fabric out behind him, some landing atop his bed and others sliding across the floor. His untidy behavior shocks me, but as it's his own personal space, I don't think it matters. Eventually he found what he was looking for; a plain leather trunk one uses for travelling. That is when I obtained my first personal belonging since becoming a slave, those years ago. Not only does he give me the trunk, but all of the clothing inside it, as well as a pair of shoes; not having had any on my journey here. He seemed a bit upset to give the items away, but I gave my most sincere thanks and he has since shown no more objections.
I'm then given a room. My own room, very near Hanji's and in a nice, quiet corner of the hall. The room had only a bed at the time, and the same small closet as Hanji's, but it was mine and I loved it more than anything I'd ever owned! I think I made a fool of myself that day; bouncing on the mattress as if it were made of sweets and wiping more tears from my eyes. My master is surely an angel come to earth, I thought. I now know that such a thought is the farthest thing from the truth; but I wouldn't change that first impression for anything.
As the days passed, Hanji would give me increasingly harder tasks and expect me to complete them with the same ease as before. Wanting nothing more than to prove my worth, I worked hard and did little I wasn't directly told to do. I don't recall eating for the first few days, until one of the cooks off-handedly asked why I hadn't been around at meal time. I told him I hadn't been told about my eating schedule and so he simply scoffed as if I were dull and began throwing food at me. I never got an apology from my teacher, but of course I'd never ask for one. When I wasn't learning something new, I was appointed the caretaker of the slaves for a short while. I was happy to get to speak with Petra again, as I felt we had some connection and she made me feel warmer when we spoke. I'd escort the girls to the washroom and help them dress, or bring them food with the help of the maids. I'd allow myself a few extra moments each day to speak with them and I found many of them warming up to me in time. I was happy here. Eventually I was spending more time as the master's immediate servant; in charge of delivering his meals, fetching paperwork and supplies, and helping him dress. It was during one of those times when I unknowingly made my first real mistake. Due to my carelessness, I caused the master a great deal of upset, and will never forgive myself or forget it.
The feeling of being on the floor was familiar. The foot scraping at my scalp and tugging my hair, a normalcy. It was the complete regret and guilt I felt in my heart that was new. I didn't want to defy Master Levi. I didn't want his distrust. I wanted to be his perfect servant until my life gave out; even if by his very hands. I felt no physical pain from his outburst, and it was easy to keep my wits about me. I had years of practice, after all. As I stood outside his chamber door, the aftermath of hurt over my heart, I listened in on him and Hanji. Although the words didn't reach me, the softer tones he spoke with did. Hanji was able to reach him in a way that I envied. That was when I knew how I would take the pain from Petra; from all of the slaves. I knew what I had to do.
It wasn't a full day later that Master finally took his first slave since my arrival. Hanji had warned me of it; had known it was coming. From what I understood of the night I arrived, he wasn't as harsh as he had been with Petra. For that I was grateful. The familiar sounds of sex could be heard through the walls next door to the entertainment room they occupied. The girl was silent at first, but eventually began to moan and gasp until the master had finished. They sent me to collect her and help her clean up. Master Levi always takes his slaves alone, one at a time and in a private place. What he does with them behind the walls is no secret, but it is private in a way that many slaves don't get. I appreciate that about him. I only needed to see the aftermath of the session, and not the exact actions that caused each bead of sweat or misplaced hair, and it made the process of taking care of the girls much easier.
I quickly found that the more I displeased the master and received his anger, the less he would hurt the girls when he took them. I didn't want to upset him, not only for fear of being cast out but for fear of his disapproval if I stayed. When I weighed the two together, I never came to a good conclusion, and thus had locked myself in constant inner turmoil. Will this last failure mean the end of me just so a girl doesn't get beaten tonight?
It was ten days after my arrival, and although I had done many things to upset Master Levi, I was no closer to being cast out. My spirits were high, and the girl's seemed to be catching on. They praised me in hushed whispers and hugged me tightly when given the chance. I was elated. These weren't just fellow sufferers, they were becoming friends. I was in their joined chamber, passing out clean linens for their beds and helping them clean up when the doorbell sounded through the evening quiet. Hanji was down the hall, tending to a girl in the washroom, and called out for me to answer. If only I had known then; somehow sensed that the other side of that door was evil itself, I would have begged Hanji to get it himself.
I didn't know, of course. My elation was making me lax, and it became all too easy to forget that I was in hiding. I shouldn't be answering the door when I am not willing to even step outside. My feet flew happily down the stairs and I bounded to the door, ready to please. Ready to be the best servant. As my hand inched slowly to the door handle, however, a cold dagger ran down my back. Something inside me clicked and I remembered; guests didn't come to Master A's mansion uninvited. He was feared, and only accepted invited guests for business matters. Whoever was on the other side of this door was just as desperate as I had been; or perhaps ignorant. The doorbell sounded again and a knock echoed through the great foyer. I brought my shaking hand from the metal handle to the thin window beside the door, pulling the lace curtain to the side only far enough to see out without calling attention to myself. The man outside sent a second cold dagger through me, this one to my heart.
My feet backpedaled with stone-heavy steps. The well-built blonde man on the other side of the door was knocking again, and his heavy fists shook the wood. I turned to run, flying past Hanji and Master Levi as they come to investigate the disturbance. I think I managed an apology, but I can't be sure. The doorbell sounded once more as I dashed into the foyer closet, slamming the door behind me tightly and burying myself in the musty coats hanging there. My breathing felt impossibly thick, and I know that when the front door opens the man will hear my heartbeat and smell my sweat. I will be taken away; back to that awful house and that awful man. Even the protection of the feared Master A is not enough to save me.
"Master A! Good evening, sir. I am terribly sorry for the disturbance-" The familiar voice comes through the closet wall, and confirms all of my fears. The heart pounding against my chest didn't even feel like my own. I struggled to hear them over the sound of it, and had to force myself to calm before I could make out any of the conversation.
"A boy, you say?" His acting was perfect, and I sighed a great breath of relief. He's really going to cover for me? After all of the trouble I've caused? "I'm sure you are aware, sir, that I get few visitors here. Especially children."
"I see. That's quite a disappointment. My master is very distraught, you see, the boy is his only heir and seems to be rebelling. He's soon to be seventeen, and has green eyes with dark hair. We'd greatly appreciate it if you will let us know should you come across anything." Lies! My fear quickly turned to rage at the blatant falsity. It took everything I had not to leap from the closet and attack him, but then I heard my master's voice again; clearly playing along with complete indifference.
"What a vague description. How will we know for sure if we see him?"
There was a still silence for a time and I began to worry what may have been happening, but the man speaks again in the voice that sends ice through me. "Here is his full description. He may attempt to... bribe you into keeping him. If this happens, you can confirm everything I've stated by the house mark he carries. You will be greatly compensated should you assist in his return." The words were muffled but clear enough. They were trying desperately hard to get me back.
The man is dismissed and a moment passes before the closet door is ripped open. Master Levi held a crumpled piece of paper in one hand, and the other drags me violently from my hiding spot; practically throwing me into every corner we pass on the way to his chamber. My feet tripped painfully over each step up the stairs. His grip on my arm will bruise for days, and the silence that accompanied his stone-cold expression was more terrifying even than the thought of the man at the door.
