The sun warmed my face as I opened eyes slowly, welcoming the day. But there were shadows on the floor; softly hidden until you remembered to step out of bed, and by then it would be too late. My feet hit the shadows as I remembered my missed appointment with the Lady Abigail.

It took me all of 2 minutes to get dressed in my new servant's garb, and tie my hair back before I urged open the door and ran to Lady Abigail's. Before I could lift my hand to knock, though, I remembered that Ladies of her social stature did not wake up until almost eleven. Cursing my bad fortune, I retreated to the parlor, where I would be waiting for Milady on other days, that is if she did not fire me on the spot.

Unable to sit, I started to pace nervously, and wait for the sun's position in the sky to change until it was almost overhead, indicating noon. Other servants passed by, looking at me with indignation. I was supposed to be sitting, working on embroidery or quietly mending one of Milady's outfits. Not pacing. It irked me that they obviously thought so little of their station that they would deny themselves of mere human nature. In example, pacing.

My inner tirade, however, did not correlate with my present problems, so I obliged the gossiping eyes and sat. I do not know how long I rested there, pondering over my impending future with the Crises' when a voice woke me from my exhausting reverie.

One of the head servants was yelling at the cook for wrongly preparing lunch. This meant that it was around the time that the Lady Abigail would soon rise.

For the second time that morning, I approached the door and timidly knocked. I heard a voice permit my entrance and reluctantly stepped inside.

"Well, seems we have forgotten at what time I precisely asked to meet you, Zuleika."

I docilely lowered my head and apologized. I knew that no matter what the excuse, there would be serious consequences.

"I attempted to be friendly with you yesterday, Zuleika, but I see it just wouldn't do for you. I know that a punishment should be given, but I am in far to good of a mood to do it." She smiled lazily at me, and sat down on her vanity stool.

She instructed me to get her ready for the meal, and so for an hour I was occupied with my wonder at her forgiveness of me. I knew that rarely a servant was not disciplined for disregarding their master's command.

When it was time for me to depart, I bowed respectfully and waited for any further instructions that she might have for me. It was with great relief that I realized she did not have any, and I exited.

It disturbed me; what was Lady Abigail's purpose in letting me go without punishment? She was smart, and manipulative; I did not see why she would forego discipline with me.

I retreated to the parlor with my suspicions to keep me company, along with a dress that I had been instructed to mend. At least my fellow servants would not disapprove of my activity now.

The hour passed quickly, and I was once again called, among Milady's other handmaidens, to prepare her afternoon attire. Fortunately, she did not pay any attention to my fumbling hands as the other girls took up most of her time. If they so much as moved wrongly she would berate them for their sluggishness. I did not know what was making her so irritable, but I soon concluded that it was in her nature to be so cruel.

Once I again, I made my exit to the parlor with the other girls who were gossiping among themselves. It was not a surprise that many did not like me; none had made an attempt to befriend the new handmaiden. I didn't mind though. It seemed to me that besides Elek and his two siblings, all of the other servants were as abominable as the Crise family themselves.

I smiled as I observed Lev walk into the room, looking for someone. When his search turned fruitless, it seemed, he approached me and asked, "Zule, have you seen Chanda?" I realized that soon after being dismissed from Lady Abigail's chambers, I had not seen her anywhere. After I replied in the negative, Lev frowned and then resolutely said, "Well she must be in our rooms. Come with me!" It seemed I had no choice, as he had pulled me up from my seat and we were currently heading there.

Finally reaching their quarters, Lev knocked softly which, needless to say, did not catch the attention of those inside. Just as I was about to knock louder so that we could leave the rather cold hallway, we heard risen, angry voices.

I backed away slowly from the door, not wanting to eavesdrop. However, Lev's firm grip on my hand and sheer curiosity kept me grounded there.

The argument was between Elek and Chanda.

Realizing this, I turned to Lev and whispered that we should leave. He quickly shook his head and replied, "They should have told you. We can trust you." I took this as a sign to start listening to the subject that was being debated in the next room; what did Lev think that they could trust me with?

"-sick of it here! We continue to live in these horrible conditions, without pay and you being manipulated by that demon, Abigail! I can't stand it any more!"

"We cannot run! They will find us. Our punishment will be worse than what we must undergo if we stay here. It is not worth it, Chanda."

"Lev cannot grow up like this! He needs to be near his Papa! We have not seen him ever since we were sold. Don't you miss our family back home? Creator, I did not think that you actually had feelings for that piece of trash!"

Sold?

A sarcastic laugh came from Elek as he replied, "I would soon rather have feelings for a toad. She is the main reason why I want to leave, but we can't. It is too dangerous. Not everyone is so bad here, the new handmaiden, Zuleika, is very fond of Lev and-"

Now it was Chanda's turn to laugh. "Yes she is, but she cannot replace our father, Elek. Don't let your infatuation of her blind you-"

"Will you let that subject go? And why the sudden change of feeling, yesterday you were perfectly content to stay here."

"I've kept the feeling inside me for far too long. I loathe it here. It is inhumane what they have made us become! As soon as we find Father we will take them to court! Slavery is illegal in all the countries here. Only criminals legally receive it. Elek, we are NOT criminals."

They were slaves. The revelation hit me like a wave. The Crises made them pretend they were servants, but in all actuality they were the property of the family. My throat ached at the thought of this happening to them. How had they been captured? How long had they been separated from the rest of their family?

I felt Lev tug on my hand as he whispered, "They should have told you. I know we can trust you, Zule. You won't tell anyone, I know."

I smiled and said, "Of course, Lev. I won't tell a soul."

Lev reached to the door before and pulled it open before I could stop him.

I was met with the impassioned expression of Chanda's and Elek's own calm manner, which soon altered when he realized I had heard everything.

A/N: I deserve to be pelted with rocks. I know, I didn't update, but it hasn't been a month! Only 3 and a half weeks! So you found out my little secret! (Well technically it's my character's secret....but oh well never mind.) Hated it, want to spit on the chapter? Loved it, want to the marry it? Please review, either way! Clare