"I can dress myself." Sorrow said flatly.
"Now, now. None of that nonsense, milady." The maid told her.
"I have dressed myself my whole life. Why should that change now?" Sorrow challenged stubbornly.
The maid sighed. "This is my job. You are a nobleman's daughter and I am your maid. Please my lady! Let me do my job!"
Sorrow looked the young maid up and down. She could be no older than herself. The girl had pale orange hair pulled into braids that rested on her shoulders. She was a little shorter than Sorrow and had a freckle covered face, pale skin, and green eyes. Sorrow sighed. She nodded her head and the maid continued to undo the back of Sorrow's slave dress. The maid gasped in horror as she beheld Sorrow's scarred back with still-healing wounds.
"Milady… what… where…?" The maid stuttered.
Sorrow looked at the floor. "It's called slavery. Where do you think I've been? Frolicking in the meadow for the past few centuries?" Sorrow snapped. She was in a rather sour mood.
"I-I'm sorry… I didn't mean to upset you…" The girl stuttered. The girl was still staring at Sorrow's back, completely shocked. "What cruel person would do this?" The maid muttered to herself.
"Others were born lucky… slaves were lucky to be born. Nobody cares if it's cruel." Sorrow whispered in response. It's what she had been told her whole life. She was lucky to be born. The room was completely silent as the maid continued undressing Sorrow and fitted her into a dress.
"My… your ribs show right through. We'll have to fatten you up a bit." The maid said, trying to lighten the dark mood in the room. Sorrow didn't respond as the maid hastily left the room to get Sorrow a much smaller dress. Sorrow stood there in a borrowed dress, which was too big, while the maid got her a new one.
Left alone in the room with only her thoughts, Sorrow began to get slightly jumpy. She had been alone when… he… had gotten her. She didn't like the quiet she had once enjoyed. Her eyes darted around the room, searching for any silhouettes lurking in the corners. Her heart pounded in a mad panic, remembering what he had done to her. Her hands clenched into fists, knuckles turning white. Her body tensed, her senses scrambled. She felt like she was mad, paranoid even. What if he had followed her? What if he came for her again? What if he told Loki? What if-
Sorrow felt a hand on her shoulder and she screamed, jumping in surprise. Her blue eyes wide, a bead of sweat running down her face, she pressed herself up against the wall, her hands in front of her face, trying to protect herself. She started sobbing, begging the person not to hurt her, to stay away. She shook violently with fright. "My lady!" Someone shouted. "Are you alright? Did I scare you? Oh! I'll get in so much trouble!" The maid panicked. Sorrow took several deep breathes before standing up. "You're white as a ghost, you are… What happened? Do you want to talk about it?" The maid asked.
Sorrow shook her head fiercely, still terrified. 'That's right… run little girl. But don't run back to your prince. He will never forgive you.' Sorrow couldn't tell anyone. She couldn't. If Loki found out… If Loki knew… Then what? He already hated her. "No… it was nothing. You just… startled me is all." Sorrow said as calmly as she could. The maid gave her a look that showed she wasn't buying it, but started fitting Sorrow's new dress onto her body.
After Sorrow was shown to her new room, fitted with several new dresses, bathed and covered in rich smelling oils, hair done into a braid that went over one shoulder, and showered in jewelry, it was time for dinner. She would soon meet her new father and get reacquainted with her grandfather. Lord Cedric had always hated her. He had shunned her and sometimes hit her when she was younger. At least he had shown his hate for her. Elysa had left Sorrow guessing, wondering why her mother refused to even glance her way.
Sorrow's face betrayed no emotion. She walked evenly, back straight, eyes forward. She tried to put a smile on her face, but her lips stayed pressed into a firm line, her blue eyes cold. As she entered the room, her "family" was waiting for her. She was seated. All eyes were on her, all eyes judging. Sorrow ignored them. She sat there, staring into space, waiting for them to get used to her presence.
"Well… you sure have grown." Cedric commented.
Sorrow met the man's dark brown eyes, but she didn't say anything.
"Finally learned to hold your tongue as well… At least that's an improvement. How was your little vacation?" Cedric asked with a small smile, evil in Sorrow's eyes.
Sorrow just stared into the old man's eyes. Her eyes narrowed darkly. Her deep blue's penetrating his browns. She saw him shift uncomfortably. "I may have learned to hold my tongue, but you sure haven't. At least I was put to work while you sat here getting fat." Sorrow said blankly, still showing no emotion.
Cedric was turning red with anger. "Now see here young girl! You are a guest in this home! I can send you away just as fast as we brought you back! I suggest you learn to speak kindly to your elders."
"Yes, my lord. Would you like me to get you anything?" Sorrow asked in her humble serving voice. "A cup of tea, perhaps? Maybe something to let out all that hot air in that thick head of yours?" She asked innocently.
Cedric glared, his face beet red. "I will have you locked in your room for a week!"
Sorrow remained unfazed. "What a punishment. Where I come from, I got skipped meals for more than a week at sometimes and almost thirty lashes every time I messed up. Your threats are nothing to me." Sorrow said coldly.
The table instantly went quiet. Cedric was grinding his jaw in irritation. "You weren't even supposed to be born. The only reason you are sitting at this table is because my daughter took pity on a disgrace like you. If you don't shut your mouth this instant, I will throw you out!" Cedric raged.
Sorrow let a sly smile creep onto her face.
Their conversation was interrupted. "We are all family here. We are not enemies. Let us put aside the current conflict and let me introduce myself. I am Erick Yelrson. It is nice to meet you…"
Erick indicated her to say her name. "Sorrow." She replied simply.
Erick was a kind looking man with warm grey eyes. His hair was a dark black, greying at the edges. His skin was heavily tanned with a very muscular build, showing he was a heavy worker. Sorrow did not feel anything for any of the people seated at the table, but she was slightly warmer towards Erick and Yvette. They hadn't cast her out. They had not sold her to slavers. Erick gave her an odd look, curious about her name. Sorrow offered no explanation and the awkward evening meal continued in silence.
The silence was broken by Yvette. "Why have I never seen you before?" Yvette asked her innocently.
Sorrow hadn't touched her plate of food, but had been staring at it. She looked up from her untouched plate. "I was never much accepted in this family." Sorrow responded curtly.
"Why?" Yvette asked.
Sorrow could see the child was genuinely curious. She could not tell the younger girl the full truth. She could see Elysa had worked hard to mend her mistakes by doing better with Yvette. Sorrow didn't want Yvette of think of her mother as an unfeeling monster. "I went away for a while."
Another long moment of silence passed, Elysa looking nervously around the table. Yvette was studying Sorrow. "Why are you so sad?" Yvette asked.
Sorrow looked down at her plate. Why was she so sad? Because sadness was all she had ever known. Sadness and pain. Maybe that's why it hurt so much to think of Loki. He had brightened her painful life. She missed Loki so badly it physically hurt her. Sorrow looked up and met Elysa's eyes. Elysa was frozen, brown eyes wide. Though her mother looked at her now, Sorrow could still see the pain in her eyes. The memories of what those cowards had done to her. Sorrow was a reminder after all. But, in that moment, Sorrow and Elysa met an understanding. Unbeknownst to Elysa, Sorrow understood why the woman sitting to her side had given her away. All because of the pain. The pain of humiliation, being broken, feeling tarnished and unwanted. And now that pain was her pain. Sorrow's pain.
Loki hadn't left his room in weeks. He hadn't seen Sorrow in weeks. Loki finally decided it was time to pay her a visit. He strode out of the room, walking swiftly. He searched everywhere for Sorrow. He knew all her usual cleaning spots, and couldn't find her there. He checked every hall, every corridor, but he couldn't find her anywhere. Finally, he spotted the Head Maid.
"Where is the slave girl named Sorrow?" Loki asked the Head Maid.
The Head Maid immediately grew nervous. "She was taken away by Elysa Cedricsdottir. Something about taking Sorrow into the family." The maid muttered.
Loki could feel a gaping hole in his heart. She was gone. Sorrow was gone, and he would never see her again. Not unless she came back to the palace. Loki couldn't leave the palace grounds because of the convenient chains that prevented him from ever leaving. Maybe it had indeed been just a ruse. A facade. A simple act to her. And once it was all over, she would be set free. Perhaps Brandt had hired her, bought her out, and bribed her to do what she had done. Part of him didn't believe it, though. She was scared of a guard, and Brandt was linked to her somehow. Part of him didn't want to give up on her, but that side was quickly being pushed away.
Loki turned away from the Head Maid. A deep glare settled on his face. Something was going on, and he had to figure out what. But for now, he had no pieces to the puzzle. None that could convince him of Sorrow's innocence. He slowly walked back to his room, feeling broken. Sorrow was just an example now. A reminder that broken things like him were best left alone.
He felt like the answer was right there in front of him. But he didn't know what. He had repeated Sorrow's actions in his head hundreds of times already that day, and he didn't know what had happened to her. Time to pay a visit to Brandt.
"What did you do to her?" Loki asked from the shadows.
Brandt jumped, his sword unsheathed. He sheathed his sword once he realized it was just the prince. A smirk played on his lips. "Whatever do you mean?"
Loki glared at the man. He wasn't in the mood for playing games. Loki shot an ice dagger at the floor, right in front of Brandt's feet. The ice dagger shattered, fragments going in every direction. "You should tell me before there's an accident."
Brandt started walking away. Loki shot the ice dagger at Brandt and it hit his golden armor, making a rather large dent, breaking it open a little. Brandt stumbled back from the force, clutching his chest where the ice had hit. "The look on her face." Brandt chuckled painfully. "I'm surprised it took you this long to suspect something. It's too bad your little lap dog isn't here. Playing with her is so much fun." Brandt stared into Loki's eyes. "You should have heard her screaming your name. Begging her prince to rescue her."
Loki's eyes tinged red. He towered over the Captain.
"You failed her. Such a shame." Brandt said.
The only thing holding Loki back from killing Brandt, was the threat of going back to the dungeons. His hands trembled, itching to drive cold ice through Brandt's heart. "What did you do?!" Loki raged. A look of fear crossed Brandt's face. He started backing away from Loki. Loki felt his Jotun form taking over his Aesir form. He towered over the guard. His red eyes bore into Brandt. Loki shoved Brandt against the wall. He smirked as his blue hand closed around Brandt's neck. Soon, Brandt was screaming from the pain. His flesh began to burn with cold, becoming raw, frost spreading over his skin. Before causing life threatening injuries, Loki let go, allowing Brandt to drop to the floor, clutching his neck. Loki kicked Brandt in the ribs so hard there was a cracking sound. Brandt rolled a little distance, groaning in pain. The cold burns had disoriented him.
Loki knelt down next to the writhing Brandt and conjured an ice dagger, slamming it into the floor next to Brandt's head. Brandt's eyes shot to the dagger, his breathing quickened. That was one weak spot Loki knew about. Brandt was a coward. Deep down, his strength disappeared, turning into cowardice. Get him frightened enough and he would talk. "What. Happened?"
Brandt's terrified look turned into pure hatred. "She seemed to love me pleasuring her." He spat. "She tastes as sweet as she looks." Brandt said with a triumphant smirk.
Realization dawned on Loki's features. Before he knew it, Brandt was gone, having fled like the coward he was. Loki sank to his knees. She had needed him and he hadn't been there for her. He had failed her. She had been there for him, comforted him, convinced him somehow that he wasn't a monster. And he hadn't been there for her. In fact, he had yelled at her and called her a slave. No wonder she never wanted to see him again. Every pained or hurt look she had ever given him flashed in his mind. He had treated a queen like dirt. Loki slumped against the wall. He expelled a burst of magic, ice daggers shattering against the walls around him. He had let Brandt take advantage of her. He had left her unprotected. He would make Brandt rue the day he was born.
His heart ached. Something he didn't feel often. He missed her. Her earthy smell from working, her quiet smile, her absolutely stunning laugh. The way she scolded him and comforted him. Her deep blue eyes which sparkled with life. He wanted her back. Now he realized that he had loved her. He would never see her again. And that hurt him more than anything.
So... I don't really know how I feel about this chapter. I don't think I wrote it very well. So, sorry if you think it sucks. Writer's block is my best friend right now. Thanks for all the comments! I love them! They make me want to write more of this story. Thank you peoples who have PM me with compliments :) I REALLY appreciate all the support! I know I probably say that a lot, but I do! :) Maybe you guys could recommend my story to other people? That would be way awesome if you did...
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