Here it is chapter 11, what has become of poor Rose.
As always thank you for the reviews and I hope you all continue to enjoy this story as much as I enjoy writing it x
RPOV
I don't know how long I lay amongst the blood and milk, my whole body screaming in pain. I eventually found my feet and with shaky legs I cleaned the mess that was soaking the floor, the tears flowing like rivers from my red swollen eyes.
The night was slowly disappearing into the day when I had finally finished. That beast had returned to check on me, to ensure I was cleaning correctly, he had laughed at me when I cowered at his touch.
"Now now precious!" he warned "lets not make a fuss, had you behaved and done your chores like a good little girl, this would never have happened. Dont worry we wont tell anybody about this, it will be our little secret, after all we don't want the Prince to find out how useless and bad you are, he would punish you far worse than I ever could!"
His words brought fresh tears of despair and I did not know how I was going to survive. I slowly crept to the wash room in the servants area and rinsed the blood and filth from my battered body, slipped on a new work dress and waited for the day to begin again.
My master had given me the milk urns to carry to the cold store, they were large metal vats with a skin lid to keep out the flies and insects. They easily weighed the same as me and every time I bent to pick them up I felt the wounds on my back open, and the sticky blood seep into the fabric of my dress.
I learned very quickly over the passing days that it did not matter if my chores were completed on time, or not, my master enjoyed beating me, and if he could not pick fault with my work he would goad me until I had no choice but to fight back and he would then beat me for being disrespectful.
Please Aron I have been your faithful servant take me away from all this please I beg of you, take me to my mothers warm and loving arms.
The sun beat down upon my back, I could feel the beat of my heart in my ears as I cleaned the steps of the dairy, I still had so many chores to complete and my body was a mess of pain and exhaustion.
Anybody looking at me would not see the mess my master had inflicted upon my body, he was careful to only touch my covered flesh, my face, arms and legs remained clear, but my back and stomach were riddled with lashings and bruises.
I did not cry any more, for it did not help, I lay on the floor or against whatever he had pushed me on and accepted my punishment, I was dead. When I retired for the night I would curl into a ball like a small child and beg the gods to save me, but they never did.
"Are you working hard my pet?" I had been so lost in my thoughts, I had not heard my master approach, he slid his dirty groping hand around my even smaller waist, and rubbed his groin against me. I felt the bile rise in my throat, but I dared not move I doubt my body could take another beating today.
"Mmmm, yes, you taste of hard work" He ran his foul tongue along my neck, and I knew I had to get away, I wiggled free, and stepped as far away as I could, he let out a malicious chuckle,
"Do you not want t play today precious?"
"What do you want...Master?" I had almost forgotten myself, I hoped that adding master to my statement I could defuse the fire in his eyes, and save my body.
"There is a new cow being delivered for me at the edge of town, I want you to fetch it, if you leave now you will be back in time to finish your chores"
"But that will take me most of the day" I argued, Cullentha was large and I had not yet had the opportunity to study the short cuts around town.
"Then you had best hurry, you know the punishment if you do not obey your master, and do not think of running, for i shall have the kings guards drag you back, and you do not want to be left in the hands of the king!" he saw my frightened face and laughed again, then turned and left me, "Hurry precious" he shouted over his shoulder.
BPOV
"This colour suits you so well Bella!" Alice had made me her personal doll for most of this morning, and I was now desperate to see my husband.
We had the most glorious reunion and had not left our chambers for three days, it was heaven. I knew when we married that there would be times he would have to leave, but I hoped that they would be few and far between.
"Alice please, the celebrations are still a whole month away, I shall have a dress in due time" I sighed when her face fell, Alice loved to spend hours planning her outfits and if ever there were a wedding or celebration her desire to look perfect would intensify and be shared with the rest of the castle.
"Fine," I relented "One more gown, but then I am leaving, I told Edward I would accompany him riding this afternoon and the day is already fast coming to and end!"
Alice let out a squeal of delight and disappeared once more into the mountain of fabric and dresses she had picked out.
"Alice dear" Esme's soft voice came from the door of Alice's chambers, "I very much liked the way you had Ingrid style Bella's hair for the men's homecoming would you instruct Helen on how it is done, I think it would be perfect for the celebrations"
Alice became engrossed in Esme and her hair, the dresses totally forgotten, I took this as my cue to leave and kissed Esme on the cheek before rushing off to find my husband but not before Esme gave me a sly wink and I mouthed a thank you at her.
In my haste I neglected to remember to watch my feet, from being a child I had never been able to put one in front of the other, and always seemed to trip over thin air.
I felt my ankle twist as I none too gracefully tumbled down the castle steps and landed in a heap in the court yard.
"Oh, my lady are you ok!" a soft voice called and a young woman approached me.
RPOV
My heart practically leaped from my chest as I watched Lady Bella tumble down the steps of the castle.
When she reached the bottom I was almost at her side,
"Oh, my lady are you ok?" I placed my hand on her shoulder and turned her towards me, there was no blood, and she seemed to be more embarrassed than hurt.
"I am fine. this happens all the time, if you could help me stand everything will be well"
I placed my arm under hers, and she used me for balance as she got to her feet. When she tried to take a step however, her footing gave way and I had to catch her before she hit the floor again,
"I fear I may have twisted my ankle," her face was filled with disappointment "I had so longed to go riding, would you help me back to the castle?"
"Of course my lady"
I put her arm across my shoulders and together we tackled the steps back up to the castle, and along the many passages to her chambers.
"Oh Bella!" Esme cried, as we entered "What happened?"
"It is all my own doing, I was in such a hurry to meet Edward, I tripped on my own feet, I think my ankle may be twisted again"
Again? How many times has she done this?
"Thank you my dear for helping her back to us" Esme addressed me, "I wish I could say this is the first time it has happened, Bella is many things but graceful is not one of her best qualities"
Esme chuckled at Bella, and sent one of her maids to fetch a stool and cold compress for her, to keep the swelling down. She also sent a message to Edward informing him that she would not be joining him as the women wished to spend quality time together.
At my look of confusion Bella shrugged and said,
"If we tell him the truth he will only worry, there is no point in ruining his day as well as my own"
Suddenly a new voice filled the room,
"Oh, lady Rose look at your hair!" Alice squeaked as she approached me,
"It is such a shame, you have the most beautiful hair, will you allow me to style it? As a thank you for helping Bella" her eyes were wide and pleading,
I had seen this look many times on the small children at court, when they begged their parents to stay up late or when they wished for sweets, but i had yet to see this look on a grown woman.
"I have chores my lady" I was unsure if i could deny her, but I needed to get back to my master and I had not yet collected the cow as instructed,
"Oh but please, if you do not allow it i shall have to command you" her laugh was sweet and I knew I would not get away,
"Very well my lady, but I really have to get back" she squealed with joy and wrapped her arms around my body.
She was small but had fierce grip, and when she hugged me it sent my whole body on fire, I let out a shout of pain, when i felt the wounds open once more on my back.
Alice jumped from me, her face, that of a scolded child, then she looked down and horror over took her features, when i glanced down i instantly began to shake.
Her sleeve, her prefect ivory sleeve was stained crimson,
"I'm sorry, I I.." I stammered out, they would know I had been punished, that I was disrespectful, and brought shame to my master, I could feel my whole body shake, what if they sent for the King?
"Alice" Esme said cautiously, "Fetch Emmett" when Alice stood stunned staring at my shaking form she added more firmly "Now please Alice!"
I could not breathe, Emmett would surely punish me like my master said, what would he do to me, I had tried hard to be compliant but I would not be made a whore to that loathsome man, allow his dirty hands to wonder my body.
"You sent for me mother" Emmett's booming voice filled my ears and new state of panic washed over me,
Esme turned me so my back faced him, and I felt her run her hand softly down my back I stiffened my body in pain but made no sound.
"Open your dress" he commanded, and I spun to face him my arms wrapping around my body in a small attempt to protect myself.
"Please dear, tell us what happened" Esme coaxed, but my eyes never left Emmett's, they were black with anger, his fists clenched by his sides,
"What happened?" I stood staring at him my mouth failing to form any words "Tell me!" he shouted and I backed away,
"Please!" I cried tears staining my cheeks, "It was an accident, the cow, she was startled, she pushed me down and caught me with her hooves"
Emmett did not look convinced and began to step towards me, in my panic I bolted for the door, his hand gripped my wrist, but immediately released me when I let out a scream of fear, I bolted for the doors, down the steps of the courtyard and all the way back to the dairy, never looking back.
"Where have you been?" the screams of my master greeted me as I burst through the doors of the dairy.
"Where is the cow?" he was inches from my face, his alcohol infused breath stinging my eyes, "Have I not made it clear to you, what will happen if you do not do as instructed!" his meaty hand came around my neck, his fingers chokingly tight,
"Please, lady Bella fell, I had to help her, I am so sorry master, I will fetch the cow now" I begged his through ragged breaths, his fingers restricting my airway,
He sneered and used his hand to push me sending my flying back and out into the yard of the dairy, I scarmbled to my feet as his hand took a tight grip in my hair.
"Where have you been, you little slut? Hm?"
"Please master I have told you I..." his hand gripped tighter contorting my body as I tried to ease the pain,
"Stop lying! You have been whoring your body, haven't you!" the back of his hand connected with my cheek and the force sent me hurtling to the ground, he gripped my upper arm and dragged me around behind the wall out of sight,
"You like cock so much, that you would disobey me, and face punishment, then cock you shall get you little whore!"
He loosened his belt and began lifting my skirts, I used all my strength to fight him off but he was so large, I was screaming, crying and pleading for help, then one of my flailing limbs connected with his face and he went toppling backwards.
When he stood I noticed blood on his lip, he wiped it away with his hand, I used the time he was distracted to attempt once again to scramble to safety but all too soon he had launched at me again, he grabbed my ankle and dragged my scrambling body back across the dirt towards him, It was then I saw the gleam of metal in his hand.
"You think you can strike at me you little bitch!" he said through gritted teeth, he raised the cattle prod above his head, this was it the end, after this I would be free, feel no more pain, I will see my mother once more.
With a final growl his arm descended upon me, but there was no pain, only a howl from him,
I looked towards him to find him curled on the floor clutching his face, that was now spurting blood in all directions, and Prince Emmett standing above him his sword pointed at my master.
Hm I do so enjoy my little cliffhangers lol
chapter 12 is on its way x