Days drifted by, and with each passing moment, the torment from Aeromonas intensified. It dawned on me that I’d unwittingly become her punching bag. Gradually, faint bruises etched themselves onto my arms, a silent testimony to the force of her malevolence, be it a vicious pinch or a calculated trip. Her actions unfolded daily, just as she’d ominously promised. The more I attempted to conceal the wounds externally, the deeper the internal turmoil festered. My evasion tactics extended beyond mere mortals; I found myself hiding from the Lord.

  Pauline became aware of my plight. With a heavy heart, I confided in her, persuading her to maintain silence and holding onto the belief that I could alter Aeromonas’s callous heart. While I longed to retrieve my fixed necklace from Douglas, fear gripped me. I was worried that it might once again be violently yanked from my neck.

  Despite my attempts at positive thinking, an undercurrent of worry about Luminous persisted. Why concern myself with them? my thoughts demanded. I wished not to, yet I knew that if Luminous knew, he’d make a spectacle out of it.

  I didn’t have the power to make them stop, and even if I did, where would that lead my heart when it was all said and done? Vengeance is mine, and mine alone, the Lord said. No matter how many times I thought about exposing the two of them, my heart always led back to hoping that one day, they would find it in their hearts to stop. It always went back to the understanding that they were hurt themselves. Yet, as time unfolded, I discovered that some wounds never found healing, and the deceptive dance of one’s own emotions could obscure the path to true peace.Top of Form

  I believed I could endure it until the breaking point arrived, and I couldn’t. The shock registered on my face as I stared at the mirror, a bruise vivid against the side of my face — a painful indication of Aeromonas pushing me down, colliding with an inconveniently placed rock. Gently touching it, worry oozed from my eyes as the realization hit me that there wasn’t enough makeup in the world to conceal this.

  Dabbing the foundation sponge in liquid, I attempted to mask the bruise, each touch eliciting a sharp intake of breath. “Ow, ow, ow,” I hissed through clenched teeth.

  Pauline, directed at me, questioned, “Why don’t you just tell Theodore?”

  “You know why, Pauline ...”

  “Remind me, please, because it’s just getting worse.” She slammed a book onto her end table.

  Tossing the sponge aside, I raised my eyebrows at her. “If I expose Aeromonas and Claudine for bullying me, how will I ever get close to her like I am with Luminous? She’d shut me out, and our plan would be ruined.”

  “I don’t want to go through the plan if you’re getting hurt like this. You know he will put a stop to it. Have you prayed about it?”

  I turned away, peering back into the mirror, and picked up the sponge. “I haven’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I know she’s doing this out of pain, and I’ve been hiding from Him.”

  “How is He supposed to do anything if you’re hiding from Him, expecting Him to change her heart when you haven’t even brought it to Him?”

  “I just don’t want anyone to get hurt or die because of me.”

  “It’s not your fault. She is doing this to herself.” Pauline sighed and forcefully pulled her heels onto her feet. “She made her bed full of consequences, and you’re subjecting yourself to something He doesn’t want for you. Her pain is not for you to carry; you’re not Jesus. Stop thinking everyone’s heart postures will change because some just don’t!” With that, she rushed out of the bedroom, leaving me to toss the sponge once again.

  Exasperated, I dipped my head into my hands, releasing a heavy sigh. “All right, Lord, I’m ready to talk about it. I’m done hiding.” As I poured out my struggles to Him, every detail from the ill-fated promise to the present, a cathartic release unfolded. It was as if a weight lifted from me, granting me the ability to breathe freely, and to finally be present among the people I’d been avoiding.

  Joining everyone for breakfast, I reclaimed my usual spot, and the air was thick with a newfound respect from Theodore’s ‘children.’ Amidst the shared meal, my eyes moved to Pauline, hoping to find that her anger had thawed. Yet, she refused to acknowledge me.

  Anxious, I briefly glanced at Luminous, only to find his stern gaze fixed upon me. He clenched his jaw, and my heart sank. Had I concealed the bruise as well as I thought? Why else would he scrutinize me like that? Perhaps, it was because I’d distanced myself from him for so long, leaving him in the dark about my struggles. I did tell him to leave me alone.

  Out of nowhere, Theodore and Luminous engaged in a conversation that eluded my ears. Theodore’s eyes periodically shifted to his daughters, then back to Luminous. After Luminous spoke, Theodore leaned back in his chair and resumed eating.

  My hands trembled as I attempted to slice my peach, and restlessness permeated my legs. The uncertainty fueled my anxiety, a familiar sensation. Swiftly, I pulled my hair over the bruise and looked down to navigate through the breakfast.

  When Theodore excused his children, I bolted from the room, finding refuge in the ballet room. As I changed quickly into my rehearsal gown, I heard the entrance of the servants and the choreographer. Pulling my hair into a bun, I stepped out of the dressing room, passing the servants to prepare my introduction for the choreographer and the impending rehearsal.

  “Hello, everyone. I am Madeline ?.”

  Suddenly, a pair of feet halted behind me.

  “Please, exit the room, everyone except Madeline.”

  As the room cleared, I saw the intruder in the mirror and sighed. “Luminous, to what pleasure do I owe a visit? This is my first class ...”

  He shook his head, cutting me off. “What is on your face?”

  “I tripped and fell on a rock. There you have it,” I replied, starting to stretch. “Now, can I please resume my first class? You ruined my impression.”

  “For you to be an excellent performer with precise balance, you sure do trip a lot.”

  I lifted my leg for a high stretch across the pole. “I must’ve mastered a new skill.”

  “Who hurt you?” he pressed. “Is it my sister? Claudine?”

  Sarcastically, I replied, “It was the rock.”

  He scoffed under his breath, seething. “Why are you protecting them? Do you care that much? Or are you afraid of them?”

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  I didn’t answer as he waited, then he walked up to me and frustration oozed from every pore. “If you aren’t going to tell me the truth, then I will find out by the time dinner is over.” He started to leave, and I furrowed my brows, realigning my posture.

  I roared at him, “How many times do I have to tell you!”

  Without warning, he grabbed water from the side table and pivoted. Rushing to me, he clutched my jaw in one hand and splashed water on my face.

  I gasped, catching my breath as he exposed the bruise. “What the heck?”

  He turned my face toward the mirror and demanded, “Look at it, Madeline! What’s next, broken bones?”

  I already knew what it looked like — blue, purple, green, and it hurt like heck to touch. My mouth gaped. I couldn’t believe he’d just done that, but then again, it shouldn’t have come as such a surprise, he ripped my clothes. “I can’t believe you just did that.”

  As he turned my dripping face to him, he said, “You are too beautiful to be treated like this.” He furrowed his brows, begging me within his eyes to tell him who it was as he let go of my face.

  “So, the servants can be mistreated like sex slaves and you don’t bat an eye, but you care when it comes to your precious favor? That seems like favoritism in my eyes.”

  “What they’ve done is break unity.”

  “Oh, so it isn’t about you caring at all. It’s about keeping people in line. Is that it? To keep Theodore happy.”

  He clenched his jaw again, seeming frustrated. “What if I do care — would it even matter?”

  Taken aback, I crossed my arms. “That’s the first time I’ve heard you care about anything.”

  “We don’t exactly sit around and have a conversation. For a matter of fact, for days you’ve avoided me as if I am nonexistent, constantly telling me to leave you alone. So, why would I call you a friend?”

  I spat out, without thinking, “Your friend? You bug me because Claudine and Clyde are too busy with each other to even acknowledge you!”

  He widened his eyes with hesitation, then he wet his lips as he said, “You had your chance to persuade mercy.”

  As he left, I closed my eyes briefly, then hit the pole with my hand. “I am such an idiot.” I mouthed under my breath, inwardly apologizing to the Lord because what I just said must’ve hurt him. If that was showing care, I thought to myself, I certainly was a brat about it. But he’d poured water all over my face. I rubbed my forehead vehemently, feeling the sting of the bruise.

  As the girls reentered and the choreographer came into the room, it took a minute to collect my composure. Nevertheless, I continued introducing myself, even though my bruise was now evident on my face.

  After practice was over, I draped a towel over my neck, still grappling with guilt over aggravating Luminous’s open wound. Grabbing a jar of water, I left the room and made my way to my chamber. There, I changed into the required dress for the day, letting out sighs and scowls as I reflected on the day’s events. Knowing I had to apologize, I hastily reapplied my makeup and sought solace with the Lord before the dinner bell rang.

  Bracing myself by the door, I took a deep breath and asked for the Lord’s guidance. As I hesitated with the doorknob, a sudden gut-wrenching feeling surged through my body. Why am I hiding this? I questioned myself. Perhaps it was because Aeromonas was Theodore’s daughter, and his love for her might grant her unchecked authority. Yet, he’d slapped her for demeaning me. This was no longer about his protection of her but my need to shield her from him.

  A wave of peace washed over me, enabling me to open the door successfully. Walking to my usual spot beside Theodore, I sat down and observed everyone else doing the same. Unexpectedly, Theodore stood up, causing my heart to sink.

  When Luminous looked at me, his expression conveyed certainty, leaving me clueless about its meaning. Theodore leaned against the table, silencing the room, and surveyed those gathered. “I would like everyone to know just how important you are to me.”

  Excitement rippled through the servants, and the keepers’ eyes glittered. Apparently, this was a rare occurrence. He said, “To show my appreciation, all of you get to partake in my finest wine tonight. Drink until your heart is content and do as you will with whom you want, as long as it doesn’t break unity.”

  What did he mean by that? I wondered. Was he allowing the servants and keepers to indulge in alcohol again? Theodore and Sabrina ushered Aeromonas and Claudine out. Luminous brushed his fingers together, locking eyes with me before rising as if on a mission.

  Pauline grasped my arm, and with Douglas by her side, she exclaimed, “Madeline, come on, Douglas wants to show us the library.” Out of the blue, a male servant rose and kissed a male keeper, their intimacy becoming more pronounced even in the open.

  “Come on.” Douglas seized my arm, pulling me out of my chair. Leading us toward the library, unspeakable scenes unfolded along the way. Servants and keepers engaged in all manner of activities — fornicating, fighting, and indulging in foolishness. Nudity was rampant, an overwhelming sight.

  We sprinted toward the stairs, but my hand slipped from Douglas’s grip, and I stumbled over my own heel. Turning my head, I noticed Luminous and Claudine together. Gasping, I quickly regained my footing, waiting a split second until Pauline urged, “Come on, Maddy.”

  Glancing back at them, I hurried to catch up. Once inside the library, Pauline, out of breath, remarked, “I’ve officially seen just about everything now.”

  “We’re safe here,” Douglas assured me.

  Moving a strand of hair out of my face, I exhaled, overwhelmed by the insanity of it all. I shivered, the turmoil within the sexual immorality making me nauseous. I covered my mouth, feeling my throat burn before asking, “Why is this happening? What reason?”

  Pauline scoffed, saying, “Sodom and Gomorrah at its finest.”

  Douglas explained, “It gets unspoken anger and frustration out. Restlessness and desires they can’t perform any other day.”

  “So, if they want to have sex with anyone, they can?”

  “Yup, or hurt each other, but the favors can’t be forced by a servant because we are ... Theodore’s. The favor, however, can do whatever they want to a servant within unity.”

  Ugh, I thought to myself, hearing you say that is so sickening.

  Suddenly, the library door creaked open, and we dispersed. I slid between two bookcases and peered over the edge.

  “Come on, Luminous, this is the perfect place to be,” I heard Claudine say. I gasped, and unexpected to hear or even see them. I thought they were over.

  “And my room wasn’t?” he asked.

  “No,” she said and laughed under her breath. “This is riskier. More exciting.”

  The two of them sat on the couch, making me feel extremely uncomfortable. I glanced another time and saw Pauline poke her head out of her hiding place. I put my finger over my lip and waved her off.

  Dang it, I thought to myself, how am I supposed to get out of this? There is no way I can.

  I suddenly saw Claudine get on top of Luminous as he said, “Maybe, we –”

  She interrupted him by saying, “Tonight is as better than any other.”

  He took a deep breath and said, “Before we start, can you at least give me an answer?”

  She started to kiss his neck and then sat back up quickly with frustration, “Why do you even care? You don’t like her, Luminous …” She sighed. “It’s killing the mood.” He gave her a lengthy stare in silence before she put her hand over his chest and started to unfasten his shirt. “Fine, your sister really has it out for her, and you know, I’m just there to observe it. It’s all fun and games, Luminous. It isn’t like she’s trying to kill her. She’s just having fun and teaching her who the boss is.”

  He raised his brows, asking, “Who the boss is?”

  “You know what I mean, you, her, your parents.”

  “I think she has figured that out already.” He asked, “Have you?”

  She scoffed again, “Great, mood is over.” She went to get off him, but he stopped her.

  “Wait,” he said, “the fun’s not over yet.”

  I looked away from them and started breathing heavily as I asked myself, what did he mean by that? Oh gosh. I was mortified. I was about to have to listen to them … ugh … With a silent move from my hands to my ears, I started to close them, then I heard a couple of other people coming into the library. Douglas! I imagined myself screaming at him. I thought you said this place was safe.

  I heard a keeper say, “What will you have me do with him?”

  “Clyde?” Claudine exclaimed. “What is he doing in here?”

  Oh, no, I peered over the edge again.

  “Now you can get off me,” Luminous said in a hateful tone.

  Surprise filled her voice. “What?”

  “Did you really think I would want you after what you did?” He pushed her off him and stood up.

  “Get on with it, Claudine, just tell him the bloody truth,” Clyde said. “There is no point in keeping it a secret anymore. We both know we want each other. We are both here for good now.”

  “Luminous …” Claudine cried, “it was a stupid mistake. I was caught up in the luxury of this place …” She sighed, unable to contain herself as she pleaded, “It was a mistake. I don’t want him. I want you.”

  Luminous laughed under his breath. “No, no, we are over,” he said, “the two of you deserve each other, and your fate.” He looked at the keepers and said, “Have your way with them. I am done with the betrayal.”

  He began to walk away, and the keepers with their batons started to beat Clyde. I knew Claudine was next.