Chapter 4

"On your knees, slave!"

"P-pardon?"

The group of young ladies from behind her rose into a clamor. They were snickering and chattering among themselves as they glanced at me. The young mistress, however, did not seem pleased with my answer. It is my first time being a slave, so I was having trouble remembering all the rules since there are so many of them. Although I do not understand why I should be on my knees when I have done nothing wrong. Or is that not how it goes…hm…

"How dare you talk back to me?!" she yelled as she served me a sharp clout across the cheek.

Was this all planned from the start? What could she even gain from humiliating a mere slave? Is she truly that bored?

While I was lost in thoughts, she continued to slap me until I eventually went down on my knees, which nearly caused her to fall. I quietly snorted under my breath as I faked a cough.

"Wipe this off the ground, slave."

The tea trickled down my face and and all over my body as she poured the entire pot that was on her table. Thankfully, it was not hot.

Endure Fati…you must endure it all to very end.

"Young mistress, I'm afraid I do not have a cleaning rag in my possession."

"What is your uniform for? Actually…wipe everyone's shoes while you're at it."

I wasn't expecting her to be as kind as her father, but this is entirely different from what I had in mind. She is the daughter of a powerful duke, yet her unladylike actions told a different story. Her mother, who is supposedly one of the most prestigious nobles in this empire, is yet condoning this awful  behavior of hers. Am I the only one who's baffled here?

Suddenly, three loud consecutive bangs echoed through the forest, and the birds frantically scattered in the air. My heart sank as the memories of that horrid night flooded my mind.

"Protect the princess at all costs!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Don't look, princess. We will take you somewhere safe."

The powerful stench of gunpowder mixed with the smoke of theburning carriage had brought about a thick fog all throughout the forest. There was blood splattered everywhere, and my knightswere dying one after the other. I could not help but wail at the horrific sight of so many men dying just to protect me. Their screams of agony as they were being slaughtered echoed in my mind. I couldn't do anything to save them as I did not know how to use my powers at the time. 

I still have a hard time sleeping, for their screams haunt my dreams every single night since then.

When I came to my senses, everyone was gone. I was shivering, and my face was doused in tears. Then, suddenly, someone draped a black cloak over my head, and when I turned around, I saw a mysterious young man with crimson red hair and amber eyes scowling at me. He was wearing the Kartier knights' uniform, hence I assumed he was one of them.

"Follow me." he said as he strode past me.

He was tall and robust, with shoulders so broad that I could not see ahead while walking behind him. His footsteps were light yet fast. As if he was gliding on the grass.

"Why are you dragging your feet? Pick up the pace, will you."

What I want to ask is why are you getting angry?

He glanced at me as if he could hear my thoughts , and his sharp glaring eyes made me shudder. However, I had no choice but to follow him, because a slave has no right. For all I know, he could be escorting me to the gallows right now.

"E-excuse me sir, but where are we headed to? And might I ask for your name if you don't mind?"

Wait a minute, if he's from the Kartier knighthood, then perhaps he came to my rescue on behalf of the young master…

"By any chance, did the young master send you to my rescue?" I asked excitedly.

He continued to walk as if he did not hear anything I just said. How rude! I can't believe someone this strikingly good looking has such an insufferable personality.

+++++

"It was just the butler hunting livestock. How disappointing."

"There is no need to pout, lady Florette. I'm sure you can see him anytime you want to, since he is currently your guest."

"Haha! I suppose so, lady Isabelle."

"By the way, where did the slave go? Did she leave without permission?"

How dare she leave without my approval?

"No need to concern yourselves over such trivial things. Her presence was doing us more harm than good, anyway."

"Haha! You are as right as always, lady Florette."

"By the way, my lady…"

+++++

We walked all the way to the waterfall without uttering a single word to one other. I was struggling to keep up the pace, and not once did he stop, or even slow down. When he finally halted, and turned around to look at me, I was out of breath from running to catch up with him.

"Go and wash yourself."

"Pardon?"

Is he suggesting that I bathe while he's watching? On top of being discourteously rude, he is also a pervert? I can't believe the young master would keep such a wretched individual in his court. 

"No need to make that face. I won't be looking at you."

Upon hearing that, I drew a loud sigh of relief. I suppose I was wrong to assume he was a deviant after all.

"You hardly have anything for me to look at, anyway. You're just a scrawny little kid with nothing but skin and bones. So, hurry and wash up, I've got things to do." he said with a smirk.

How dare…Alright I take it back! This crude bloke is clearly trying to crawl under my skin, and it's working. If only I could use my powers to pound him with a boulder…

"Cease your seething and get washing, kiddo. My patience is already wearing thin." He said as he leisurely disappeared into the forest.

+++++

*sigh* I have not read a book ever since the duke departed for the capital. I truly miss the serene atmosphere of being surrounded by books that contain so much knowledge about everything in the world. 

Among all the books I have read at the Kartier library, the one called 'The Art of Crossbreeding' by an author named Yurel captivated me the most. The book was so intricately well written that it was apparent its author was well-versed in the matter. I wonder if I should try cross breeding some flowers based on what I've learned so far.

"Are you still not finished?!" he yelled from inside the forest, which startled me.

I'm getting angry all over again. Something about this red-haired fellow is very off-putting.

"I have had enough of your discourteous attitude, sir knight! I did everything you asked of me, so the least you could do is be a little more considerate. Why is it so hard for people to be respectful nowadays? Good grief!" I exclaimed loudly.

"First, you dragged me all the way out here without a single word, and now you-"

As I continued to shout at him, and wringing my hair that was now wet and unraveled, I felt a sudden chill running down my spine. 

"How dare a mere slave…"

"Slave or not, I am still a living, breathing human being. Why can't I speak my mind, huh?! Why can't you be nice to me? Afraid I'll sully your nice uniform with my slave stench? Then you should have just left me where I was! I did not need your help! I am growing sick and tired of being treated like a parasite!" I shouted while panting.

I must have been bottling this up me for a while. My emotions suddenly got the best of me, and I lashed out at him. Not only that, but I was also wailing like a child in front of him and now my eyes are swollen, and snot was smeared all over my face. How utterly humiliating. I'd much prefer being doused with tea. 

"Are you done? Did you get it all out?" he said while frowning.

"What?"

He held my face with one hand and began to clean it with the tail of his cloak. The look on his face had changed drastically as he was now looking at me with eyes that were difficult to decipher.

"What. Do you have more to say? Go on, let it all out now that you have my attention. I'm feeling generous today, so by all means, go on."

Even his tone had softened considerably. No matter how I think about it, I was wrong. I should not have yelled at him like that.

"I'm sorry. It was wrong of me to lash out at you so disrespectfully when you were only helping me. Please accept my humble apologies, sir knight."

Why is he not saying anything? Is he rejecting my heartfelt apology?

"Hm…interesting. Very interesting indeed. You may raise your head."

His expression suddenly shifted and a brief frown formed on his face, before it quickly faded. For some reason, my divinity mark had begun to tingle out of the blue. It has been doing that quite often as of late. I'm wondering if it's reacting to the crowned prince who is currently dwelling in the same vicinity. 

"Nate."

"P-pardon?"

"My name is Nate. It is short for Nathaniel."

What sort of person introduces themselves with such a scary expression on their face? It's as if he is threatening me to remember his name or else. He looks angry even when he's trying to be pleasant. What a strange person he is.

"My name is Fatima. You may refer to me as Fati, like everyone else." I replied with a smile.

"Right. Let us go. I shall escort you back to the stables."

And now we are back to him being rude. Would it have killed him to be a little more polite? He appears to have more mood swings than the average pregnant maiden. I should stay as far away from him as possible.