When I wake up I notice Alden is already up and about. I sit up in bed and stretch, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. "Good morning, Alden" I yawn. He turns to me, a small smile on his face. Ms thorn opens the door shortly after coming into the room "I need you to do something for me son" " Yes, Mother?" Alden replies. You're father is returning today I want you help tidy up the place. I nod, grateful for something to do. "Of course, Mother." I get up and follow Alden out of the room. The castle is much larger than I imagined, and it takes us several hours to clean and straighten everything. As we work, Alden tells me more about his father and the other nobles who live here. I listen carefully, trying to learn as much as I can about this world I've been thrust into. I get on my knees next to him scrubing the floor "Master why are you cleaning too?" "Because I want to help, and because I said so." Alden replies, a hint of annoyance in his voice. I shrink back, realizing I've made a mistake again. Alden sighs and turns to me. "Look, I know it's hard for you to remember, but I'm trying here. Okay?" "I'm sorry I'll be quiet Alden, you said you don't like it when I talk a lot" I mutter as I continue to scrub the floor. He sighs again and shakes his head. "It's not that, it's just... I don't know. Forget it." He says, turning back to his cleaning. I stay quiet for the rest of the day, trying to be as invisible as possible. I can tell that Alden is still upset with me, but I don't know what I did wrong. As the sun sets, we finish up and head back to our rooms. "Duna, come here." Alden calls out to me. I hesitate for a moment, but then walk over to him. He's sitting on the edge of his bed, looking troubled. "Listen, I'm sorry for snapping at you earlier. It's just... I don't know. I'm trying to be your friend, but I keep messing up." He takes a deep breath. "I know you're not used to having someone your own age around, and I know it must be hard for you. But I want you to know that I'm here for you, okay?" His voice cracks slightly, and I can see the sincerity in his eyes. I keep my eyes down and nod. "Thank you, Alden. I appreciate that." I say softly. He nods back, then stands up and walks over to his dresser. "Why don't you go ahead and get some rest. Tomorrow will be a big day. My father is coming back, and there will be a big feast in his honor." I nod, and then turn to leave. As I close the door behind me, I can't help but feel a small sense of hope. Maybe things will be different from now on. Maybe Alden and I can really be friends. I crawl into my bet and close my eyes drifting off to sleep, my last thought being about Alden and how he has been trying so hard to be nice to me. I dream about my old life, my parents, the village. I wake up with a start, the dream having been so vivid that it feels like I'm right back there. I take a deep breath and try to calm down, reminding myself that this is not my life anymore and I need to focus on surviving. As I get out of bed, I hear voices down the hall. I quickly get dressed and sneak out of my room, following the sound. I peer around the corner and see Alden in the courtyard, talking to a group of nobles. He looks confident and at ease, like he's been doing this his whole life. For a moment, I wish I could be like him.Lost in my thoughts, I don't notice that someone has bumped into me until I feel a hand on my shoulder. Startled, I whirl around to see Alden's father standing there. He looks tired and weary, as if he's been traveling for days. "Ah, Alden. There you are. I was hoping to speak with you." Alden turns around, a smile on his face. "Father! I wasn't expecting you back so soon. "The older man returns his son's smile. "Well, business calls. But that's not why I wanted to talk to you. I've been thinking about your slave... Duna, is it? I wanted to know if there's anything she needs. Anything we can do to make her more comfortable here." Alden looks surprised by the question, then quickly regains his composure. "She's been adjusting well, Father. Thank you for your concern. I'll make sure she's taken care of." Alden's father nods, his expression softening. "Good. I'm glad to hear it. Your mother and I have faith in you, Alden. You'll make a fine lord one day." With that, he turns and walks away, disappearing into the crowd. I turn to alden, pushing my fingers together. "Master, may I have something to eat please?" I ask timidly. He looks at me for a moment, then nods. "Of course, Duna. Come with me." He leads me to the kitchens, where a plump woman with flour-covered hands greets us. "Alden, my boy! What can I do for you today?" Alden introduces me to the cook, who nods in greeting. "I brought Duna here, she's a bit hungry. Could you spare some bread and cheese for her?" The cook smiles warmly. "Of course, dear. Come with me." She takes us to a small table, where she sets out a plate of food for me. "Eat up, child. You look like you've had a hard day." I nod gratefully and take a bite of the food. It's simple but delicious, the best thing I've had in a long time. As I eat, I can't help but notice the strange looks I'm getting from the other slaves. They seem wary of me, like I don't belong here. I feel out of place and alone, even with Alden by my side. I finish my food and stand up, ready to leave. "Duna, wait," Alden says, catching my arm. "There's something I want to show you." He leads me through the castle grounds, pointing out different parts of the estate. "This is where we grow our crops," he says, gesturing to a large field. "And over there is the stables, where we keep the horses." He leads me to a small stream, where we sit down on a rock. "I know it's been hard for you, Duna. But I want you to know that you're not alone. I'm here for you, and so are the others." He reaches out and places a hand on my shoulder. "We might not be the best of friends, but we're all we've got." His words bring tears to my eyes, and for a moment, I feel a glimmer of hope. "Thank you, Master... I mean, Alden. "As the afternoon wears on, the castle fills with the sound of laughter and music as the feast begins. Alden leads me to a table near the back, where we sit with the other slaves. I watch as the nobles and their families feast on delicacies I've only ever dreamed of, while we are given plain food that barely fills our bellies. But despite the hardship, there is a sense of camaraderie among the slaves, a knowledge that they are all in this together. As the night wears on, the drink flows freely, and the nobles begin to lose their inhibitions. I hear whispers of scandal and gossip, and I can't help but feel grateful that I am not one of the noblewomen, subject to the lecherous gazes of their husbands and fathers. Throughout the evening, Alden occasionally comes over to check on me, making sure I'm doing alright. I try to be polite and grateful, but there is an undercurrent of tension between us that I cannot quite understand. Despite his kindness, I cannot help but feel like an outsider, a stranger in a strange land. As the night wears on, the feast begins to wind down. The nobles grow drunk and rowdy, their laughter echoing through the halls. The slaves start to clean up, clearing away the dirty plates and empty cups. I find myself lost in thought, wondering what the future holds for me. I start to clean dishes. "Well well well, if isn't the master little pet" I hear a voice behind me. I turn around to see one of the slaves, that I meet before playing that board game. "What do you want from me?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady. He smirks, taking a step closer to me. "I just wanted to see how well you were fitting in, little slave." She says, her tone mocking. I feel a knot forming in my stomach. "I'm doing the best I can," I reply, trying to keep the defiance out of my voice. She laughs, taking another step closer. "Oh really? Because I've seen how Alden's been treating you. Giving you food and a place to sleep. That's not how things work around here." She says, his voice dark and threatening. "I don't see what's so special about you" she leans in glaring at me." I-I don't know what you mean" I stammer, trying to back away from her. "Oh, I think you do," she says, grabbing a dirty knife from the counter. I freeze in fear as she brandishes the weapon, her eyes filled with hatred. "You're just a pathetic little thing, trying to make a name for yourself. Well, let me tell you something. This is my kingdom. My master's kingdom. And you'll never be anything more than a slave here." Her words send a shiver down my spine. "I know that." "What's the matter princess? gonna cry? "She taunts me, twirling the knife between her fingers. I swallow hard, trying to find the courage to speak. "I-I'm not a princess," I stammer. "I'm just a slave like you." Her eyes widen in surprise, and she pauses for a moment, the knife wavering in the air. Then, with a snarl, she lunges forward, pressing the blade against my throat. "You're nothing but trash," she hisses. She turns to two other girls and winks at them After that one of the girls takes a plate and throws it on the floor breaking it . "She broke the plate!" The girls yell at me pointing fingers. Alden storms in "What was that?" He askes with a frown. "Duna broke the plate!" The other girl accuse me. "No, I didn't!" I defend myself. Alden looks at me, then at the broken plate on the floor. He says with a hint of doubt in his voice. "She did it! She did it!" The other girls insist, their voices growing louder and more shrill. "She did it on purpose too!"Alden looks at me, his expression hardening. "Is this true?" He demands. I swallow hard, my throat dry. "No, Alden! They're lying!" I cry out, my voice shaking with fear and desperation. But it's too late. He turns away from me, his shoulders slumped in defeat. "Fine," He says, his voice heavy with disappointment. "You're all dismissed for the night." The other girls grin at me as they file out of the room, their eyes filled with hatred. I'm left alone with Alden, who is staring at the ground, his shoulders shaking slightly. I don't know what to do or say. I just stand there, trembling, waiting for my punishment. "That was my one of my moms favorite plates" Alden growls as he glares at me clean it up, now." I take a step back, my heart pounding in my chest. "I'm sorry, Alden," I whisper, my voice barely audible. "I didn't mean to." I bend down to pick up the broken pieces of the plate, my hands shaking uncontrollably. As I work to clean up the mess, I can feel Alden's eyes boring into my back. I finish cleaning up the mess, my hands covered in fragments of porcelain. I stand up, trying to meet Alden's gaze. "What now?" I ask, my voice trembling. He sighs, rubbing his forehead wearily. To my room, Now. I'm led back to my tiny chamber, the cold air hitting me like a slap in the face. Alden pushes me inside "I didn't do anything! I swear!" I cry out, tears streaming down my face. "three people said you did, now stop trying to play it off." Alden says anger rising in his voice "No breakfast for you tomorrow How about that?" I fall to my knees, sobbing uncontrollably. "I'm sorry," I choke out between sobs. "I-I didn't do it I swear, Master." I don't wanna hear it alden growls as he takes my blanket off the floor "Since you're gonna lie you can sleep without this tonight" "No please" I start to cry "Master please don't take that" "Oh really?" Alden snorts "You're going to start begging now? After all the lies you've told?" He pulls the blanket out of my reach, leaving me shivering on the cold, hard floor. "Well, don't worry, slave. You'll get used to it." Alden climbs into his bed and pulls the covers over him. Defeated I lay down on the floor crying myself to sleep.