Real Deal

"You can't do a simple projection of time? Good thing my last meeting ended early. Let's talk about your move here." Donne sat down in his chair, with an air of power and masculinity.

Meara was dumbfounded. First, she knows the general is a bit cold, but is he scolding her for arriving early? Second, she was sitting on the couch. Shall she move the dessert and tea to his desk so they can talk?

"Move here!" he commanded.

Meara sat up… more like shoot up in an instant and sat in front of him. Unconsciously clasping her skirt with both of her hands.

"I'm sorry…" she was scared now. Really scared...

"Yes, you will be. I don't know why the old man would set this up. Show me your birthmark." He asked, and not politely. He opened his right palm, quite impatiently.

She showed her left wrist. He frowned.

"You're indeed cursed…" he said while tapping the desk with a dark face.

"N–no I am not. I haven't caused any misfortune to anybody in my entire life, I swear!" she defended herself.

"Yeah, except you killed your mother when you were born. If that wasn't a misfortune, then I don't know what misfortune is."

She gasped for air at the sudden attack. She is used to hearing that accusation from her father, but to hear it from somebody she likes the most, it's a stab in the heart.

"I… I can provide you with essence every day ensuring excellent vitality. My lifeforce is more potent and can regenerate faster than normal women according to the healer from the Temple."

"I heard. Anyway, you will be entering as a concubine starting today. The decree from the King is right there in front of you. You will occupy the hut at the far end of the property. My wives should not be near you nor my child and any other future children."

"Wait… Wait… I'm a concubine? My father said I was going to be your third wife." She forgot her fear and asked directly.

"Your father…lied to you. He abandoned you to be exact. The old man and your father had a deal. He's probably enjoying himself on his trip to another Kingdom. You were bought to be my sustenance since I am a vital part of the Kingdom's defense. You may be cursed, but you have something that can help me. Did you hear me? You were bought. So stop dreaming. My third wife is yet to be decided and that's definitely not you." He spoke disdainfully as if she orchestrated this.

"Bought…" she whispered absentmindedly.

He stared at her pale face, looked at her dress, and spoke.

"You dress too extravagantly for a concubine. I will have a few clothes to be sent to you. Starting tomorrow, you will come to me every day at 6 in the morning except Tuesdays and Thursdays to deliver your essence. Every midweek, you will come to me all cleaned up so I can sleep with you. If you understand then get out and settle in. I am a busy man." He dismissed her immediately, not giving her time to think or even absorb what just happened.

She stood slowly, bowed a bit, and strolled out of the room. Once again, she is in a daze. This time not of happiness but of disbelief.

Meara climbed down the stairs, keeping her composure despite the shock.

The butler approached her.

"My Lady, please follow me. Your things were already brought over to the hut." He said as he maintained a hearing distance while walking in front of her.

'Hut...' She repeated to herself while slowly following in small but hurried steps.

They walked out the main door and walked along the pathway on the right side. They walked past four courtyards facing each other, then a big bungalow where servants stay which is also facing another courtyard. They walked more until they reached a hut at the end of the property a few meters away from the perimeter wall about 5 meters high. There's a well and a small unkempt pond near the hut. The surrounding area has patches of wild grass, vegetables, and flowers.

Meara looked around and said to herself, this must be my "courtyard". She looked at Mr. Milton and he looked back at her with obvious apologies in his eyes. He said hut, so she expected something more strategically built structure. It was not. It was a hut with bamboo and wooden walls and a few torn nipa leaves needing replacement.

"I will have your new servant girl accompany you in a while." The butler regained his composure and usual demeanor. He bowed to excuse himself.

Meara nodded and let the butler leave in peace. She is calm and collected now. She is used to adjusting well. In less than three hours, she found that her expectations were way off. So she can only look at where she is at this very moment.

The hut is exactly what it is, crudely built with wood and bamboo but somehow it has two small bedrooms wherein one is slightly bigger than the other, a kitchen and a bigger room at the front left side which seems to have been used as a storage space for a few firewood. The bathroom is in a separate area at the back of the hut near the wall.

There is rectangular bamboo furniture outside for resting, smaller than a bed but larger than a chair. Fortunately, it is in good condition and will surely be used regularly since Meara loves resting outside and appreciating the fresh air, and sounds of nature and herself playing the flute.

Meara feels like there's no time now to complain. She started clearing and cleaning the small bedroom so she could put her luggage and dowry in safely. She changed into a more simple and comfortable dress. Brought out a small clean towel which she would use later once she cleaned herself after cleaning the house. She found a rag at the window and a rusty pail then got some water from the well.

After an hour of cleaning, she felt hungry. She went to the well to wash her face, arms, and hands. She used the prepared towel earlier to dry herself.

Meara went back to her chosen bedroom. She's sweaty and dirty so she changed into another simple and clean dress.

Since she was hungry, she opened her luggage and opened a cloth with a few pastries made by Nanny Lione. She finished three pieces then kept the remaining back into the cloth and put it on the dining table. She decided to walk towards the servant's quarters to check how to get food for her late lunch as well as dinner.

'I wanna drink cold milk right now…'