Chapter 4: Juliet's Slave
The journey back to Dame Olga's manor was a long one. Dame Olga delighted in ordering poor Lucy about.
"Lucy, dear, please massage my feet," Dame Olga requested, slipping her nasty feet out of her red slippers.
Taking one look at the feet, Lucy said with disgust, "Not now, not ever."
"Lucy," Dame Olga said through clenched teeth, "Massage my feet now."
"The familiar dizziness came to Lucy. It had always come when Madame had issued a command and Lucy had not wanted to obey, but Lucy had never understood it. She massaged the hideous feet.
"Ah," Dame Olga remarked with pleasure, "You are just like your mother."
"My mother?"
"Yes, you wouldn't know about it, but she had the gift of obedience also."
So that's why I always must obey, Lucy thought to herself.
"It really comes in handy," Dame Olga went on, "For me anyway. And, of course, for Juliet. She's going to be your new mistress and you must do everything she tells you to do.
The rest of the ride went on like this, with Dame Olga telling Lucy how she was no better than Juliet's slave and how Juliet could do whatever, whenever to her. Then, the carriage stopped. Dame Olga pushed Lucy out, and though a footman came to help Dame Olga, Lucy fell to the gravel, skinning her knees.
Lucy found herself standing in front of a massive manor that was so big, it terrified her.
A young, plump girl of 13 came running out of the front door excitedly.
"Oh Grandmamma, is she here? Is she really mine?" the girl cried.
"Yes, Juliet, she's all yours. You can call that thing Lucy if you like."
Juliet squealed with delight. "Oh wait till the girls see her!" She squealed again. "Does she really do everything I say?"
"Everything. Try her out."
Juliet went into a bunch of silly orders, such as 'touch your toes.' Despite Lucy's tries to stop, she immediately obeyed every time, which sent Juliet into peals of high laughter.
After a while Juliet tired of this and led Lucy to show her mother, Hattie. They entered a parlor where they saw the woman lounging on a dark green velvet sofa, being fanned by 2 servants. Upon seeing her daughter, Hattie dismissed the servants with a wave of her hand.
"So you have finally arrived," Hattie said.
Lucy was flooded with relief to have recognized someone from her past life. Her next statement, however, ruined all hope Lucy had for some act of kindness.
"Let's get this straight," Hattie began, "I hate your mother, and I hate you. If I see fit, I will personally punish you, and I show no mercy. I expect you to serve Juliet until she's through with you for the day. Then, you may perform any tasks Mum and I assign you." She paused. "Now, Juliet, Princess Nora's ball is tonight. You best take Lucy, and get ready."
Juliet rushed Lucy from the room to her rooms to torture Lucy with tonight's preparations.