Chapter XI

As the morning light creeps in through the curtains, the princess stirs, yawning loudly. She sits up and rubs her eyes, taking in her surroundings. When she sees me, she looks momentarily confused before remembering her command from last night. "Well, at least you're still here," she mutters under her breath, climbing out of bed. "Get me something to wear, I'm starving." I quickly gather some clothes for her and hand them to her, watching as she dresses with a newfound sense of purpose. When she's finished, she looks at herself in the mirror and sighs, running a hand through her hair. "I suppose I'll have to make the best of this situation," she says to herself.


I help her down the stairs, noticing that the castle seems more alive today.
Servants scurry about, setting up breakfast in the grand hall. The princess takes in the activity with a small frown, clearly not used to such busy-ness. We make our way to the table, where the king is already seated, pouring himself a cup of coffee. He looks up as we approach and his face brightens when he sees her. "There you are, my dear. You should have been here earlier." She rolls her eyes in response, but sits down next to him anyway. The servant places a plate of food in front of her, and she begins to eat, surprisingly hungrily.I stand nearby, waiting for further instructions. The king glances at me, then back at his daughter, before leaning in and whispering, "I'm glad you're here, my child. I've been worried about you." She looks away, not meeting his gaze. "I'm fine, father. Just leave me alone." He sighs heavily and turns back to his food.The tension in the air is palpable as they eat. The princess picks at her food, occasionally glancing over at me. I try to remain still and unobtrusive, but I can feel her eyes on me.Suddenly, Lady thorn joins them at the table, "Ah Duna there you are, Alden was looking for you last night."I was with the princess last night, mistress." I mutter back to her, trying not to show any annoyance. Lady Thorn raises an eyebrow at me, but doesn't press the matter. Instead, she turns her attention back to the princess. "I have news for you, Duna. Alden has left with his father, on a diplomatic errand, he was trying to find you last night to say good bye but was unable to."The princess, surprisingly, looks unbothered by this revelation. "Well, it's too bad he didn't manage to find me," she says coolly. "I would have liked to wish him well on his journey." My eyes widen for a moment "When will he be back?" I quickly ask, my voice wavering slightly. Lady Thorn glances between me and the princess, seeming to take in the tension in the air. The princess shrugs. "I'm not really sure. Diplomatic errands can last for weeks, or even months." Lady Thorn takes another bite of her food, trying to change the subject. The silence that follows is thick with unspoken words. The king clears his throat, glancing between his daughter and myself. "Well, in the meantime, Duna, I have some duties that need attending to. Perhaps you could show the young girl around the castle, introduce her to some of the staff and servants. It's important that she feels welcome here.I nod, trying to keep my expression neutral. As we rise from the table, the princess follows suit, her shoulders slumping slightly. She walks ahead of me, her movements almost mechanical. I feel a pang of sympathy for her, being stuck here against her will. As we wander through the castle, I point out various landmarks and introduce her to some of the servants who have been working here for years. They all seem to be impressed by her presence, but she doesn't seem to reciprocate the feeling. Instead, she remains distant and aloof, like a queen observing her subjects from afar.We eventually end up in the library, a massive room filled with countless books and scrolls. The princess seems to perk up a bit at the sight of all the knowledge stored here. She wanders over to a nearby bookshelf, running her fingers along the spines. "This is quite the collection," she murmurs, looking up at me. "My father has always been an avid reader." "Yes," I reply, "the king is well-known for his love of literature." I hesitate for a moment, unsure if I should continue. But something about the way she's studying the books makes me feel like she might appreciate the gesture. "There are some excellent books here," I say, pointing to a row of leather-bound volumes. "If you're ever looking for something to read, I could recommend a few. " She glares at me "Did you forget what I told you last night slave?" I flush, suddenly feeling foolish for trying to make conversation. "I'm sorry, my lady. I didn't mean to upset you." She turns back to the shelfs of books skiming through them "I told you to refer to me as "Your Highness" I swallow hard, nodding. "Of course, Your Highness." We lapse into an uncomfortable silence, each of us aware of the tension between us. She turns and sits in one of chairs "Get me something to read "I'm about to suggest a book when she interrupts me "Something... unboring" she says, her voice curt. I hesitate, uncertain what she means by that. The library is filled with stories of kings and queens, warriors and sorcerers. Surely there's something here that would interest her. I scan the shelves, looking for something that might catch her eye. Finally, I see a leather-bound book with an intricate gold design on its spine. The title reads: "The Chronicles of the Forgotten Queen." I approach her carefully, setting the book down in front of her. "This one is about a queen who was banished from her kingdom. It's said to be quite engrossing."She eyes the book suspiciously. "And what makes you think I'd be interested in reading about some banished queen?" I take a deep breath, trying to remain calm. "Because perhaps you can relate to her, Your Highness. Being forced to leave your home against your will... It must be a difficult thing to endure." She looks up at me, her eyes narrowing. "You're quite observant, slave." "Go and get me a drink and hurry up" She orders. I nod and turn to leave, feeling a mix of anger and embarrassment at my own foolishness. I'm not sure why I thought that offering her a book would make any difference. Perhaps I was just trying to find some sort of common ground, some way to connect with her. But it seems that my efforts have only served to irritate her further.I walk back into the kitchen, and poor a glass a water, then head back to the library. As I return to the princess, she's deep in thought, running her fingers over the leather binding of the book. I place the drink on a nearby table, careful not to disturb her. She eyes, the water and then me.Her face twists into a sneer and she throws the glass of water at me. I try to duck but it hits my shoulder, stinging as the cold water runs down my back. "I want a real drink, slave not water. Now go get something else." I stand there, shocked and hurt by her actions. "Of course, Your Highness," I manage to say, trying to regain my composure. I quickly wipe the water from my shoulder and head back to the kitchen. My hands shake as I pour her a glass of wine, wondering how much more of this I can take. As I return to the library, she's still sitting in the same chair, her expression unreadable. I place the wine on the table and step back, waiting for her to acknowledge me. She takes a sip of the wine, savoring it before looking up at me. "You know, slave," she says, her voice cold and distant, "I've never understood why people find the story of Snow White so fascinating." I raise an eyebrow, not sure where she's going with this. "It's all about a damsel in distress, being saved by some dashing prince. It's such a cliche. " She takes another sip of wine. "Do you know what I think would make a better story?" I hesitate, unsure if I should answer. "What, Your Highness?" I finally manage to ask. She leans in closer, her eyes boring into me. "I think the story of Snow White would be much more interesting if she didn't need to be saved by a prince. If she could save herself." There's a hint of challenge in her voice, as if she's daring me to respond. I swallow hard, unsure of what to say. "Well," I stammer, "I suppose that would make for a very different sort of tale. "She smirks, taking another sip of wine. "Indeed it would." There's a brief silence as she seems to ponder this new version of the story. The tension in the room eases slightly, and I find myself wondering if there's more to her than the cold, unfeeling princess she presents to the world. 


But before I can dwell on this thought, she sets the empty wine glass down on the table.
"That's all I need for now, slave." I bow my head, hiding the hope that flickers in my eyes. Perhaps there's a chance for me to win her over, to prove that I'm not like all the other slaves she's known. "Very well, Your Highness," I reply. "Shall I return to my duties?"


"Return?
To what duties?" She askes in a aggressive tone. "You aren't useful for anything here. You are nothing but a waste of space." Her words cut through me like a knife, but I force myself to remain calm. "I'm sorry to hear that, Your Highness. If there's anything I can do to prove my worth, please don't hesitate to let me know."She gets up pulling me by the collar and drags me over next to her chair."You are useful for one thing," she says, her voice low and dangerous. "You can be my plaything." She pushes me down to my knees, and I feel her hand brush against my cheek, trailing down to my neck. "You can be my slave, and I can do whatever I want with you.""I already have a master" I mutter not meeting her gaze. "Oh no, you're not in love with him, are you? That's so pathetic." She sneers, "You're just another one of my playthings, and when I get tired of you, I'll find someone else. Someone more interesting ."I swallow hard, trying to ignore the mixture of fear and anticipation that races through me. "Yes, Your Highness." "Now," She starts to speak while slamming her foot on the back of my head forcing it to the floor."I told you before that you are my personal servant now, I told you you're going to stay By. My. Side." "Yes, Your Highness." I choke out, still on my knees. "If you ask to leave one more time I can promise it won't be pretty for you." "I understand, Your Highness."She steps away from me, and I feel a tiny bit of relief wash over me as she takes her seat in the chair once more. She crosses her legs and folds her hands in her lap, watching me intently. "Now sit on your knees and don't move or speak until I say you can. Understood?" I nod quickly, and she smirks. "Good girl."I obey, sitting back on my heels with my head bowed. The air in the room feels thick with tension, and I can't help but wonder what she's going to do next. Minutes tick by, and my legs begin to ache from being in this position. But I force myself to remain still and silent, not wanting to provoke her. She sips her wine again, seemingly lost in thought. I can feel her eyes on me, studying my every move. After what feels like an eternity, she finally speaks. "You know, slave, I've been thinking about your story." My heart leaps into my throat at her words. "No, not the Snow White story. Your real story. How did you end up here?" I swallow hard, unsure if I should trust her. "My village was sacked and razed and then I was sold into slavery"She frowns, considering this. "And what did you do in your village?"I take a deep breath, summoning the courage to speak. "I just lived in a small hunt with my parents" She nods, unimpressed. "And what skills did you have? What could you do?"I hesitate for a moment, wondering if I should be honest. "I could read. "She raises an eyebrow. "You could read?" She repeats, sounding almost disbelieving. "And what did you read?"I swallow hard, remembering the stories of courage and adventure that had filled my days before the invasion. "I read stories of princesses who found true love, and princes who fought for what was right. I read about kingdoms full of wonder and magic ."She laughs, a cold, mocking sound. "How quaint. And what made you think that you would find any of that here, in this palace?" She leans forward, her voice dropping to a whisper. "This is no fairy tale, slave. This is the real world, and you are nothing but a pawn in my game, now, let me repeat myself once again just incase you already forgot" she grabs my chin forcing my face close to her. "You're going to stay by my side at all times." She releases my chin, and I sink back down onto my knees, a shiver running down my spine. The room feels oppressively heavy, as if the air has been thickened with her contempt. I want to tell her that I understand, that I'll do whatever she wants, just to make her stop looking at me like that. But the words stick in my throat, trapped by fear and shame."Say it." She commands, her voice low and menacing."I'll stay by your side at all times." I choke out, the words tasting like bile in my mouth.She seems satisfied with my reply, and for a moment, she doesn't say anything. She merely stares at me, her expression unreadable. I'm left to wonder what thoughts are racing through her mind, and what she intends to do with me next. Finally, she speaks again, her voice once more cold and emotionless. "Very well. Now go fetch me some more wine."I hesitate, not wanting to disobey her, but also not wanting to leave her side, even for a moment. "Your Highness?"She narrows her eyes, anger flaring briefly in their depths before she regains control. "Go!" She practically spits the word at me. "Do as I say, or suffer the consequences." I force myself to stand, my legs trembling beneath me, and I slowly make my way across the room. The air feels heavy and oppressive, as if the very walls are closing in on me. I can feel her eyes on my back, boring into my skin, as I cross the threshold and into the hallway beyond. The weight of her gaze seems to follow me, a physical presence that I can feel pressing down on my shoulders. I know that she is watching me, waiting for me to make a mistake, to disobey her in some small way. And I know that when I do, there will be no mercy.I steel myself, taking a deep breath as I walk. The other room is dimly lit, the flickering candlelight casting eerie shadows on the walls. I feel like I'm walking through a nightmare, unable to wake up from the horrific reality that is my life. The wine is kept in a small cupboard, tucked away in a corner. I reach out, steadying myself against the wall as I take down a bottle and pour some into a goblet.As I turn back towards the door, I catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror. The reflection that stares back at me is nothing like the hero from the stories I used to read. It's the face of a frightened, broken slave, whose courage has been ground into dust by the weight of the world. And yet, there's something else there too. Something that refuses to die, despite everything that has been done to it. It's the spark of hope, the memory of what it was like to believe in something greater than yourself. It's the knowledge that even in this darkest of times, there is always a chance for redemption. I hold that spark close, like a tiny ember in my heart, and I vow that one day, I will find a way to reclaim my life, my freedom, and my true self.Carefully, I lift the goblet, the wine sloshing gently within it, and I begin the long, arduous journey back to the Library. As I approach the door, I steel myself once more, preparing for whatever cruelty the princess has in store for me next. I take a deep breath, and I knock softly on the door. There's a long silence, and I'm about to knock again when the princess finally speaks. "Come in." Her voice is cold and uninviting, like the frost on a winter's morning.I open the door, and step back inside, careful not to make any sudden movements. The princess is sitting in her chair, her expression unreadable, as if she's lost in thought. She takes the goblet from my shaking hand and drinks deeply, her throat moving gracefully as she swallows."Thank you, slave," she says, her voice low and calm. "That will be all."I feel a wave of relief wash over me, but it's quickly replaced by a new sense of dread. I've managed to avoid her anger for the moment, but I know that it's only a temporary reprieve. The next time she decides to test me, there's no telling what she might do."Your Highness?" I venture, my voice barely above a whisper. "Is there anything else I can do for you?"She pauses, seeming to consider my question, before finally speaking. "No, slave." "Now sit back down" I do as I'm told, lowering myself back onto the cold stone floor, my back pressed against the chair. I avert my gaze, I looking anywhere but at her. The silence that follows is heavy and oppressive, like the weight of a thousand stones pressing down upon my chest. I can feel her eyes on me, studying my every movement, waiting for me to make a mistake.Time seems to slow to a crawl, each second feeling like an eternity. I close my eyes, trying to block out the world around me, but it's no use. I can feel her presence like a physical weight, bearing down on me, suffocating me. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart, trying to find some small sliver of courage in the darkness. And then, just as I begin to think that I can't take it anymore, that I will break under her scrutiny, she speaks. "You are quite the pathetic sight, aren't you?" Her voice is mocking, cruel. I force myself to meet her gaze, steeling myself against the pain I know is coming. "Yes, Your Highness," I whisper. "I am." She kicks me in the face "Don't look me in the eyes, you think you're equal to me?" She's right, of course. I am pathetic. And weak. And nothing like the heroes I used to read about in my stories. I start to cry "Alden why did you leave me?" I think to myself. Her words cut deep, deeper than any physical pain she could inflict. They are a reminder of everything that I've lost, everything that I've become.I don't answer, instead I focus on breathing, on trying to stay conscious, on trying to survive another moment in this living hell. I can feel the blood trickling down my face, mixing with the tears that have already escaped my eyes. It's all so overwhelming, so impossible to bear.The princess watches me with a mixture of amusement and disgust, as if I'm some sort of insect she's found crawling across the floor. "You know," she muses, "I used to think you were special. That there was something about you that made you different from the other slaves." She laughs, a cruel, mocking sound that echoes through the room. "But now I see that you're just as pathetic as the rest of them."Her words cut deeper than any physical pain she could inflict. They are a reminder of the girl I once was, the girl who dreamed of being something more, of doing something greater than simply existing in this pit of despair. I close my eyes, wishing I could forget, wishing I could erase the memory of who I was and who I've become.Lady Thorns glides into the room, her silken robes whispering against the marble floor. She bows her head respectfully to the princess before speaking, her voice cool and measured. "Your Highness, your father wishes to see you. The princess's eyes narrow, a flicker of annoyance crossing her features. Clearly, she had been engrossed in her torment of me and had momentarily forgotten about her duties. "Very well," she says, standing with regal poise. "Duna my dear, I'm happy to see you welcoming our new guest" Lady thorn says softly.The princess's gaze flicks back and forth between Lady Thorn and me, her expression a mixture of confusion and suspicion. "Well?" the princess says looking at me. "What are you waiting for? By. My side. Remember?" She says in a clearly annoyed. I slowly stand up following the princess out. As we make our way through the hall, the princess's anger seems to dissipate, replaced by an air of arrogant superiority. She walks a few steps ahead of me, her head held high, her back straight as a board. I try to keep up with her long strides, my own steps hesitant and uncertain. The air in the castle is thick with tension, like a storm brewing on the horizon. We walk back into lady thorns room where the two new nobles are sitting on lady thorns bed." Your Highness, we've been discussing the possibility of forming an alliance between our houses. My son, Alden, has been a great help in explaining the benefits such an alliance could bring," Lady Thorn says smoothly. The princess looks me over once more, a sneer curling her lips. "Indeed? And what would those benefits be?" she asks sarcastically. Lady Thorns blinks, clearly taken aback by the princess's tone. "Well, Your Highness, our two houses are quite similar in status and power. By joining forces, we could strengthen our positions both within the kingdom and without." The princess huffs, unimpressed. "Hmm. Interesting. I suppose it couldn't hurt to consider such an alliance." Her mother chirps in "Well, honey we have already agreed to this, we just wanted to hear your thoughts on matter. "The princess's eyes narrow, and for a moment I think she's going to explode. But then she seems to remember something, and her expression softens. "Very well, Mother. If it is what you wish." Lady Thorns beams with satisfaction, her gaze shifting back and forth between her daughter and the two nobles on the bed. The princess, however, turns her attention back to me. "And what do you think, Duna? Do you approve of this alliance?" Her voice is mockingly sweet, as if she knows I have no say in the matter. I remain quiet looking towards lady thorn with a pleading face hoping she notices my abusive situation, but she seems to focused on negotiations. "Well, Duna has already proven himself quite valuable to our household, Your Highness. I'm certain he would approve," Lady Thorn says, a hint of steel in her voice. The princess looks me over once more before turning away with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Very well, then. Let's get this alliance started. "With that, the meeting comes to an end, and I'm left to wonder what the future holds for me in this twisted game of politics and power. The tension in the air does not dissipate as we leave the room, but rather seems to grow heavier with every step. The princess walks down the hallway looking back at Lady thorn waiting for her to be out of sight, then turns to me "valuable, huh?" She says coldly "You don't look valuable to me."Her words sting, but I force a smile. "I'll do my best to prove myself, Your Highness." I reply, trying to sound confident despite the quiver in my voice. She rolls her eyes and continues down the hall, leaving me alone with my thoughts. "Hurry up" She turns at me and says coldly "I don't have all day." As if I had any choice in the matter.I trudge along behind her, wondering if this is how my life is going to be from now on. Back to being treated like dirt.She enters her room, and I hesitate for a moment before following her in. The room is as opulent as ever, with fine tapestries on the walls and a canopy bed fit for a queen. Princess Amara flounces onto the bed, looking every bit the spoiled brat that she is. I stand awkwardly by the door, unsure of what I'm supposed to do now. She turns to me frowning "Go and get me some dinner" "Yes, Your Highness," I reply, bowing my head. I leave the room, making my way through the castle in search of the kitchens. The halls are eerily quiet, as if everyone is waiting for something to happen. As I round a corner, I see a group of nobles whispering to each other in the distance. They stop as soon as they see me, their eyes narrowing suspiciously. I quicken my pace, eager to put some distance between them and me.I find the kitchens and order some dinner for the princess, trying my best to appear confident and in control.Cook appears walking in from the hallway, "Ah how it's going kid? He askes with a grin. I force a smile back "It's going fine cook, I just need some dinner for the princess." He nods and hands me a tray with some food "Alright, I'll be here if you need anything." I thank him and head back towards the princess's room after I finishing getting something for myself as well.As I carry the tray of food back to the princess's room, I can't help but wonder what she's going to say or do next.As I enter the room, she's sitting up on her bed, inspecting a small jewelry box. She glances at me briefly before returning to her admiration of the trinkets inside. I set the tray down on a nearby table, trying not to make too much noise.I place her tray on the dresser besides the bed, before sitting down on the floor getting ready to eat mine. "What are you doing?" She askes looking down at me. I look back up at her. "I thought I could eat while you eat" I reply. She rolls her eyes and waves her hand dismissively. "Fine, do what you want. I'm not paying attention to you anyway." With that, she turns back to her jewelry box, seemingly more interested in her trinkets than her own dinner. I watch her for a moment, wondering how someone who is supposed to be so important and powerful can be so self-absorbed. I take a bite of my food, trying to ignore the awkward tension in the air. The food is warm and flavorful, a welcome change from the bland fare I've grown accustomed to. As I eat, I can't help but wonder what Lady Thorn's plan is for me. Will I be expected to spy on the princess? Or perhaps she has something more sinister in mind? I finish my meal and sit back on the floor, feeling a mixture of anxiety and anticipation in my stomach.I clear my throat, deciding that I might as well try to make some conversation. "So, Your Highness, what do you usually do for fun?" I ask, hoping to make some sort of connection with her. She looks up from her jewelry box, her expression somewhere between boredom and annoyance."Did I say you could speak?" I shrink back, feeling the familiar sting of rejection. "No, Your Highness," I mumble. She smirks, seemingly satisfied with her put-down. I try to ignore the knot in my stomach and focus on what she said.I gather up the trays and dishes, careful not to make too much noise as I make my way out of the room. The hallway is still deserted, the silence pressing against my ears. As I hurry through the castle, my mind races with questions. What does Lady Thorn expect me to do now? How long will I be stuck serving the princess? And perhaps most importantly, when will I have the opportunity to escape this life of servitude?I finally reach the kitchens, it's dark and empty, as the moonlight glows through the windows of the kitchen. I place the trays and dishes on the counter and turn around, suddenly feeling a sense of exhaustion washing over me.I walk over to a chair in the corner and collapse into it, resting my head in my hands. The events of the day replay in my mind like a never-ending loop: the execution, my imprisonment, and now this strange new role serving the princess. A tear slips down my cheek as I struggle to make sense of it all.As I sit there, lost in my thoughts, I become aware of a faint rustling noise coming from behind a curtain. Curiosity gets the better of me, and I slowly make my way over to investigate. Peeking through a gap in the fabric, I see a shadowy figure rummaging through one of the cupboards. Intrigued, I cautiously push aside the curtain and step into the darkness.The figure startles, dropping a stolen piece of food, and whirls around to face me. It's a young woman, dressed as a servant like myself."What are you doing?" I ask, my voice low and accusing. She looks at me with a calm expression, then smiles "Oh it's you, Duna" I look at her confused "Do I know you?" I ask "Do you remember when you ran off with Alden into the library and lady thorn send me to come get you?"I blush and nod "Oh right, I'm sorry, I'm just a little overwhelmed right now.""I'm Vergo by the way she extends her hand " I slowly shake it "You're so lucky first you get to serve Alden who's a prince, and now you're serving anther noble""Well I don't know about that..." I say, thinking about how I've been treated today. "I guess I'm just trying to make the best of it."Vergo smiles back at me "Well I hope we can be friends slaves need to stick together." She says in friendly tone. I smile back "Um, sure.""I need to go now the princess is not very nice"She nods and I head back to the princess's room, still feeling a mixture of confusion and unease about my situation. As I approach the door, I hear voices raised in anger on the other side. Fear grips me as I realize that something is definitely not right.Taking a deep breath, I steel myself and enter the room. The princess is standing in front of Lady Thorn, her face flushed with anger. "I will not be ordered around by a servant!" she shouts. Lady Thorn's expression remains calm, but her eyes flash with anger. "I'm not asking you to be a servant, you will treat duna with respect or else." Lady thorn says calmly.The princess glares at me, and for a moment I think she's going to lash out. But then something strange happens. She takes a deep breath and seems to compose herself. "Fine," she says through gritted teeth. Lady thorn turns to me with a reassuring smile then leaves. Alone with the princess, I'm not sure what to expect.The princess glares at me giving me a side eye "Sit" she orders pointing to my sleeping spot. I nod and take a seat on the floor beside my bed. She sighs heavily and then starts to pace around the room, clearly agitated. "This is all so humiliating," she mutters to herself. After a few moments of silence, she turns to me and asks, "What is your name?" I swallow hard, feeling a mixture of fear and surprise. "Duna," I reply, my voice barely audible.The princess nods, seeming to study me for a moment. "Duna," she says, trying out the name. "You must be terrified right now." I look down at the floor, unable to meet her gaze. "Yes, my lady," I whisper."You should be, I don't care what that woman says, you're just a slave. I don't see why I should "respect" you respect is earned not given. "Tell me, what have you done to earn my respect?" I look at her, surprised by her candor. "I don't know, my lady. I am only a servant, and I have tried my best to serve you and the others well."She frowns down at me "Nothing, you haven't done anything to earn my respect, you're just a peasant no, below a peasant you're a slave. "I swallow hard, feeling the sting of her words. "Yes, my lady." Now sit and shut up you're free to sleep when ever and if I catch you ratting on me to that woman I'll make you sorry." She glares at me for a moment longer before turning away and flopping down onto her bed, her back to me. I watch her carefully, unsure if I should say anything or not. The silence is heavy and oppressive, making my heart race. Eventually, I muster the courage to speak. "My lady, if there's anything I can do to earn your respect, I will try my best."She lets out a humorless laugh "Oh, is that so? Well, to bad, I don't want your respect.  She walks on over to me grabbing my arm then putting foot on my back bending it backwards. "Tell me, what are you feeling right now?" I grit my teeth, trying to ignore the pain in my arm. "I... I feel discomfort, my lady.""That's all?" I nod, tears starting to well up in my eyes. "Yes, my lady." She holds a small knife to my face "What are you feeling now?" I choke back a sob "I... I feel fear, my lady." She smirks and steps back, letting go of my arm. "That's right, that's what I want from you, now go to bed I don't wanna hear you're ugly voice for the rest of the night." I crawl back to my sleeping spot, the pain in my arm burning like fire. As I curl up into a ball, I can't help but wonder if I will ever earn her respect, or if this is how the rest of my time with her will be.

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