Chapter 8

Me?

I didn't understand. Why would he want me? He hated me.

So why did he give me a stare that sent shivers up my spine.

"You never said anything like that!" Angela protested, taking my attention away from the intense stare I was the subject of. I looked towards her angered face as she shouted at the young master in fury, "you said Bella would be happy too!"

"I never said that? I said she'd be safe. That was our promise", I wasn't sure what they had spoken about but, it was obvious that Angela had been tricked.

Yet, I found the offer tempting at that moment.

"What does that entail?" I asked curiously, surprising the two who were just about to argue.

The young masters face look delighted that I asked and he laughed lightly before he answered, "It means I'll own all the rights to you. Your future. Your labour. Your body".

"But why make a deal when you can just do that anyway? We don't exactly have the rights to pass that over to you, why not ask your father?" I gave him a frown. I couldn't understand it. He could take that anyway. It wasn't up to me.

He smiled at those words. As if he anticipated this.

"We were friends, weren't we? I should at-least ask a friend before I make them serve me forever", he seemed to think that rationalised everything.

Then why set Angela free? What does that have anything to do with this?

But I couldn't say that. For fear he'd take it back and none of it would happen.

"I don't accept this! This isn't fair!" Angela protested. Her hair bouncing as she shook her head in disagreement, face becoming a cherry red and I caught her trademark stubborn pout.

"It's not your choice".

The sudden cold tone that the young master released made us very aware of our positions, and when he turned to me with that same coldness expectantly waiting, I wanted it to be over as fast as possible.

"I..." I bit my lip.

This was a choice between our futures...

I suddenly recalled a memory I thought of so often it made me ponder on its meaning, but at that moment I understood it.

My mother's beautiful blonde curls, her emerald eyes that were captivating to all and that glowing skin that was once constantly praised were no more. Instead lay a woman just off death. Her skin clung to her skull, eyes bloodshot and body so frail it barely moved.

"Isabelle", I jumped up from my half slumber at the call of my name, rushing towards her so fast she laughed a little. "Careful now darling".

"Mother are you okay? Does anything hurt?!" I asked so foolishly when I knew everything must hurt.

"No my child. Listen to me".

"Yes?" I answered anxiously.

"I don't have much time", she said that a lot. So much that I understood and nodded.

I hated it.

But I had accepted it.

"I know you understand. You remind me of your father. He understood even when I hadn't opened my mouth. You're clever. I'm going to leave you with an important task my love, you must promise to fulfil it", she leaned her head down to mine and stroked my face with those thin fingers that couldn't have felt warmer.

"I promise". I was resilient in keeping a promise I hadn't even heard.

"Your sister. She's a lot like me. She's childish and when she grows up she'll attract a lot of attention, from bad people. Can you"- she cut off her words as a series of violent coughs escaped her and I found myself rubbing her back, because I knew nothing better, when she finally calmed she continued, "it isn't easy looking like me. Not when you don't have anyone to protect you. So please protect her. Before it's too late for her".

I always despised that moment. It was probably the worst memories I had of my dying mother.

Would it not be hard for me? Did I not matter?

But as I grew up, I watched my sister grow up too. I noticed how the gazes directed at her were strange. Almost possessed.

So I recalled those words and I stuck to her side. Almost shielded her from whatever could happen. From the duke who would call on her and instead be presented with me to the servant boys who'd try to get close to her only to get struck by me.

And now. Now she can finally be safe. Safe from this house. Safe from those horrible gazes.

Had mother suffered this fate? Alone? Then I must stop this from happening.

"I'll do it. I'll be yours".

"No Isabelle!" Angela shouted in horror, "I don't want this!" She grasped my arm and tried to pull me away from the young master who looked happier than I'd seen him since his mother's death.

"Then it's done". He dusted his hands slowly while a grin worked up his face. It looked mean. Like a series of plans went of in his head... and that gaze that rested on me... it looked familiar. Very very familiar.

"No! It's not done! I don't agree to this!" Angela's face was full anger and betrayal, in contrast to her I was feeling relieved . A relieved smile came up on my lips as I looked at my beautiful sister.

I had done it.

I had kept my promise and it's payment was something that wasn't ever mine. My life.

At that time, when Angela shook me furiously with tears streaming down her face and the young master who smiled wickedly while walking back to his chambers, at that time I had no idea that those words were the biggest mistake of my nineteen years alive.