Dear readers,
This chapter will contain some gruesome descriptions. After all, it's a M rated story. So beware, but apart from that, please enjoy.
Chapter 4
The next day, Sir Nicholas Wilde went down the stairs to the cellar for slaves, with Benjamin walking close behind him. They arrived at the door to a particular cell and the fox pushed it open and walked in, waving at his steward to stay in the corridor, just to be subjected to a hateful stare from a dirty rabbit.
"What do you want now?" Judy exclaimed from her bed. She was still too weak to get up properly.
"I am here merely to verify if you have decided to eat properly." He stated, arms folded behind his back. He was wearing a plain, white shirt with dark pants.
"Not in your life!" She hissed with disgust in her eyes. How I wish I could kick him right now.
The fox let out a tired sigh. "Then you leave me no choice." He got closer to her. "I have sent a messenger to your family…"
Judy's ears dropped and now her features indicated nervousness. "W-what? No! Leave them alone!" She got to her elbows.
His expression changed instantly and even the defiant bunny fell down on her back again, seeing his angry face. The fox was practically radiating authority and it took just one glare to pin the bunny to the bed.
"I am talking." He snarled. And when it was certain that she won't interrupt him again, he spoke once more. "He has informed them of your deeds and current position in my household." The noble mammal leaned forward. "I also instructed him to pass on an information that if you misbehave, you shall face lethal consequences. Therefore," He straightened up. "don't act reckless and force me to send your parents a pine box with your name on it. It would be a shame for them to put up a tombstone and carving 'Was too stubborn to live' on the stone."
The gravity of his words hit her like a huge boulder. She had no arguments against it, as he used her own family against her. Mom, dad… The thought of dying didn't scare her, but the idea of this predator tormenting her parents with her corpse made her shiver.
Still, part of her resisted it. "You despica-"
He raised a brow.
Judy bit her lip to stop herself from finishing the sentence.
"I can see that we have reached an understanding, good." Sir Nicholas turned around to leave. "Mrs. Otterton will bring your food and water. Be sure to take proper care of yourself."
And before she could stop her mouth, Judy blurted out. "What, tired of kissing me already?" The fox froze. "Or any female will d-"
Sir Nicholas spun around in a blur and his paw shot forward, grabbing her by the throat. The bunny yelped when she was hoisted in the air and slammed against the stone wall. She looked up to see a livid glare of emerald eyes, mere inches from her face. When the fox spoke, it was in a low and monotone voice. "What I did is called Angel's Kiss and we named it so, after a certain doctor saved more lives using this method than you have family members. She was one of the most respected mammals to grace this land with her presence, so don't you dare dishonoring her achievements by your childish words." He tightened his grip. "Do I make myself clear?"
She could only gurgle with his fingers around her throat, but managed a weak nod. The fox released her and she collapsed on the bed, coughing. The sudden outburst shocked the doe, she never thought that this person could display such strong emotions. Where did this come from? She wondered.
He stepped back and rolled his shoulders to correct the sleeves of his shirt. A collected and calm expression returned to his face as he opened the door. He paused in the corridor, just before closing back the door. "Just for your information, she was a hare." And he left.
.
.
After the predator's visit, Judy was somehow able to turn around on the bed, to lie on her back again. She had a lot to digest at the moment. The noble's threat to deliver her dead body to her family in a mocking and disrespectful way made her both furious and scared. Her mother probably couldn't stand such a shock. Most likely, she was already shaken to hear about Judy's situation and sins. The young doe didn't want to hurt her parents any more than she has already. And that meant she would have to be obedient and follow that red furred noble's orders. She clenched her fists. I hate it… but it's not like I have any choice… She put an arm over her eyes. Only a fox could be this cruel… And speaking of cruelty, his fit of anger came to her mind. Why did her words provoke him to this degree? What is his connection to the doctor he mentioned? And a hare at that…
Her thoughts were disrupted by the creak of the door and a female otter entered with a tray in her paws. "Good morning, dearie."
Judy relaxed a bit. "Good morning, Mrs. Otterton."
.
.
In the secluded dining room, that Sir Nicholas adopted as his private one, the aristocratic fox sipped his morning tea when he caught movement with the corner of his eye. The plump cheetah was fidgeting with his paws, standing close to his master.
Sir Nicholas raised a curious brow. "What's on your mind, Benjamin?"
The steward flinched. "Um, I… uh… I know it is not my place to say this, but…"
The fox placed his cup back on the tea table. "But?"
"Well, why did you tell the bunny that we send a messenger, sir? We did no such thing."
There was a small creak when his master leaned back on the chair, folding his paws. "That girl is stubborn, Benjamin. She needed proper encouragement to become more cooperative." He explained.
"But to lie like that…"
"I didn't exactly lie. If she really would starve herself to death, then I would have to send the remains to her family." Sir Nicholas reached for a letter lying on the table.
"We-ell, that is true." Clawhauser scratched the back of his head. "And pardon me for saying this…"
The fox sighed, rubbing his forehead. "I usually do…"
"… but I know you wouldn't have her executed, right? Sir?" The feline finished with a smile on his face. He knew his master long enough to vaguely guess his intentions.
"Of course not." The vulpine replied with a smirk, as he proceeded with reading the letter. "Where would be the fun in that?"
.
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For Judy, the following days were filled with a blissful lack of an annoying fox in her cell. It was most likely due to the fact, that she started eating on her own. Left with no other choice, the doe had to comply with her buyers' wishes, even if she despised him to the core. Besides, she had enough of this dark and damp place. If it took to play an obedient rabbit to get a normal bed, she could do it. Although not for long… She thought to herself.
And her patience and self-restraint was rewarded, when one day Benjamin appeared in the doorway with a smile on his face.
"Hello there! How are you feeling today?" The cheetah greeted her cheerfully.
Judy sat on the edge of her bed. "I'm fine."
"Great!" He clapped his paws. "Today we're moving you to the servant's wing of the mansion. No more cellar for you!"
Her ears perked up. "That's… nice to hear."
"Isn't it?" He was beaming at her. She wasn't sure how to handle such an overbearing friendliness from the feline.
And Benjamin had another surprise for her. He knelt down and fished a key from the pocket of his black suit. It took him less than a minute to remove all of her shackles. Judy rubbed her neck, relishing the feeling. She had no idea that removing those lumps of metal would give her such a delightful experience. For the first time in many days, the bunny smiled.
The rest of the day was spent on introducing Judy to her future responsibilities, but first she had to be dressed. The head maid, a very uptight female ocelot, provided them with the standard maid uniform, fitting the bunny's size. The doe hid her resentment deep down in her heart and forced herself to work. Benjamin showed her around the place, or at least a part of it. The mansion was too huge to see everything in one day. But she was told about the main corridors and in which part of the building were her master's chambers. She had to know it, since he was her owner and she will be serving him. After the short tour, the cheetah took her to the kitchen and introduced her to the staff.
An elderly hippo female in a white apron squealed at the sight of her. "Ohh, you're such a sweet thing!" She grabbed the doe and pulled her into a bone crushing hug. "No wonder master Nicholas chose you!"
When Judy was finally released she huffed in disapproval. "I am not exactly happy that he did."
The hippo - by the name Amanda, as the bunny learned later - waved her huge paw. "Oh silly, I am sure you'll change your mind. He is very nice once you get to know him."
"Yeah, of course…" Mumbled the doe, not really having the intention of arguing with the cook.
"Well, it is time for his afternoon tea. Why don't you bring it to him." And, not waiting for a reply, she shoved a tray into her paws.
Muttering under her nose, Judy left the kitchen and headed for the part of the mansion where her master supposedly was right now. She wondered how she could wrong him in a way subtle enough for him to not notice immediately. Maybe I'll pretend to trip and spill it all on him. She entertained herself with that thought and walked around the corner of the corridor. Only to collide with someone. The tea pot tumbled and its contents landed on the vest of the other person.
"Ah! Hot!" Exclaimed an elderly fox, dressed in a very expensive looking suit.
"I'm sorry!" She said hurriedly, eyeing the predator with concern.
A pair of green eyes shot her a look full of anger and disgust. "You worthless, little scum! Have you no eyes?!" Snarled the elegant predator.
But instead of being afraid, Judy felt heat and rising anger in her body. "I said I was sorry. No need to shout."
The fox in front of her froze for moment, as if he'd seen a ghost. But then his features readjusted to form an infuriated expression. "GUARDS!" He roared with a livid voice and stepped back.
An armed fox in uniform appeared almost instantly at his side and bowed with respect. "My Lord."
The noble predator pointed his finger at the bunny. "Take this thing immediately to the head torturer and tell him to engrave proper manners into it."
"As you wish, Lord Wilde."
Judy's eyes widened, but before she could even think, the guard's paw yanked her by the collar, making her drop the tray and she was dragged into unknown direction.
.
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The sky was starting to turn dark when Sir Nicholas entered the kitchen and eyed the staff with an annoyed expression. He was dressed casually, for nobility's standards and had his faithful sword by his side. A habit he had trouble getting rid of after arriving at the mansion. "Amanda!" He called out. In matter of seconds the female hippo appeared from the depths of the massive kitchen and hurried to his side. "Yes, master Wilde?"
"I believe it is far past the time for tea, so I have ventured here to explain the mysterious lack of it in my dining room." He stated, but with no anger with his voice.
She looked puzzled. "But… I have sent the bunny girl with it hours ago."
Sir Nicholas' brows furrowed. "She never was at my quarters." He turned around and stormed out of the room. "Benjamin!" Yelled the fox and shortly, the fat cheetah hurried out of the nearby dining room, his mouth still stuffed with cookies.
"Fir?" He mumbled, stopping by his master's side. The feline munched quickly and managed to swallow.
"Have you seen that rabbit?" The noble predator demanded.
"No, sir! She got the tray with your tea and headed down the corridor to your quarters."
Sir Nicholas walked past the plump steward and followed the route which led to his part of the mansion. After a few moments he stopped, his nose picking up the scent of the rabbit, mixed with the aroma of the tea. He walked around the nearest corner into one of the halls, to find a goat maid scrubbing the floor. She noticed the fox and sprung to her hindpaws and bowed respectfully. "Sir."
"What happened here?"
"Mr. Marcus called me to clean up some spilled tea." She replied obediently, casting down her eyes.
The noble mammal sniffed the air and his eyes narrowed slightly. "Was my father here?"
"Lord Wilde was with Mr. Marcus at that time."
Just as she finished speaking, Sir Nicholas turned his head towards the spot in the hall where the guard was usually posted. "Marcus!" He roared suddenly, startling the goat.
The fox guard appeared from one of the rooms and approached Sir Nicholas. "Yes, sir?"
"Have you seen a grey rabbit here?"
"Indeed, sir. I was called by Lord Wilde and apparently she spilled tea on him." He didn't have to say anything more, for the noble fox to know where she was. The next moment he was a blur disappearing into one of the long corridors, Benjamin running after him to the best of his ability.
.
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Pain.
If she'd had to describe her current life it would be with that word. Judy spent the past few hours in the paws of a black jaguar. He sprawled her naked over a wooden table, tying all of her paws with strong ropes. The doe struggled only for the first few minutes. The rest of the time she screamed in agony. The torturer took his time with her, as per the Lord Wilde's orders. It was no secret that he liked his job and was very good at it. Judy's state was a living testimony of that. During the time she was down in the torture chamber, he slowly broke her fingers, one after another or burned her torso with a red hot steel rod in several places. At one time he sunk his claws into her face on the side and smiled as she shrieked in pain when he pulled his paw all along her cheek in an agonizingly slow pace to lengthen the suffering.
Right now, Judy was barely conscious, her vision blurred and her hearing impaired by the pain radiating from every part of her body, even her ear, as he has smashed it continuously with a hammer.
"Right, I think we're almost done here." He stated in a casual manner. "All that is left is to make sure you're sterile." He turned to the burning furnace and retrieved the steel rod he used earlier.
Barely hearing his words and the sound of scraping metal, her exhausted mind managed to put it together when the torturer placed a rough paw on her stomach, pinning her down and she felt heat between her legs. The sudden realization of what was going to happen made her desperate to cry, but all her tears were spent during the last few hours. She wanted to scream, but her throat already did that in abundance.
Beaten, helpless and broken, Judy closed her eyes and prayed to die.
Suddenly the heavy door to the underground chamber flew open and rushed pawsteps could be heard. The head torturer turned around to meet his guest. "Sir Wil-"
There was a silken sound in the air and the jaguar froze, with his mouth opened. A moment later, the black furred head detached from the body and rolled down on the floor, followed by the thud of the corpse hitting the cobblestones. The red hot rod clanged next to it.
Sir Nicholas Wilde swung his sword to get rid of the blood and sheathed it back. The fox hurried to the table and Judy could hear a sharp intake of air.
"Are you still alive?" He asked, voice filled with emotions she couldn't exactly comprehend at the moment.
"I… don't…want to…be…" She barely mumbled with trembling lips. There was a rustle of cloth on her right.
"You will be alright." The fox assured her as he started untying her restraints. Someone else entered the chamber and Sir Nicholas spun his head around. "Call for a doctor! Now!" He barked, now his voice clearly laced with anger.
Judy didn't even feel, that her limbs were freed, but she registered that she was being lifted from the table and wrapped in a blanket. The air moved and shortly it was replaced by fresher and colder one. The doe opened one eye and saw creamy underside of a fox's muzzle. Her owner was carrying her in his arms. Even in her current state it made her annoyed.
"I… hate… you…" She whispered before falling into unconsciousness. And due to that, she didn't notice a smile that appeared on his face.
"I can live with that, Fluff."