First Night

Meara was carefully removing the petals of wild roses and lavender Calla picked from the nearby mountain yesterday. She's sitting on the bamboo bed outside and pretty much calmer already than when she went back this morning. She's planning to make some natural air freshener for the house as well as in the bathroom. It's also a perfect rest area to just enjoy the surrounding beauty of nature.

Meara's wound is still pulsating in pain a bit. The wound seemed to have closed but the surrounding area was swollen. There's a small basin of cold water beside her with a clean cloth and she's touching it with it from time to time.

When she saw Calla returning, she cleaned up the materials and smiled to greet Calla.

"My lady, let's treat your injury as soon as possible. We can work on your air fresheners after we eat breakfast, okay?"

"Alright." Maera looked at the medicine and saw the oil. She read it silently and then looked at Calla.

Calla was blushing from her cheeks to her ears, down to her neck., "My lady…"

Maera giggled at the thought that Calla asked for this on her behalf.

"Don't worry about it. I will take it just in case. But really, thank you. I will endure just this once, then every week thereafter will just be like the usual replenishment process." She tried to catch Calla's eyes to get her to agree.

Calla nodded embarrassingly.

So the hours dragged on while the two were busy with their little project. Calla is very diligent with her chores and other requests from Maera.

Soon the time to start preparing came.

"My lady, the bathtub is ready. The water is scented and warm for your enjoyment. Please take your time. I will remind you once it's time to dress up."

Maera enjoyed her bath. The dress is not from the batch of plain clothes Donne provided. She specifically chose one of quality material but almost plain if not with the simple embroidery at the edges of the dress. She has this in her luggage. This is her first time with her "husband", and she thought of at least looking nice.

The time came for her to go to the master's chamber. The butler knocked. They heard his voice allowing her to come in. The butler left when she went inside.

"Master, I'm here." Maera approached the bed and stood on the side.

Donne grabbed her wrist but gently pushed her onto the bed. Maera was taken aback but she is willing to do anything he asks at this point. Her injuries were not aching that much anymore but she doesn't plan to have additional ones before the day ends.

"The quality of the repairs and regeneration is directly related to the quality of sex. I will be gentle with you, so do not worry about that. What I don't want you to have is the misconception that this is or will be something more than a sexual act for pleasure with great benefits. Understood?"

"Yes, Master." She agreed while being pressed on the bed. A bit of hesitance showed through but she blushed as she finally lay on the bed.

She pulled a small bottle and put it on the side table.

She continued, "I have a bottle of oil that can help ease it through. We can use it if it gets difficult when it comes to that."

"Hmmm… So you are scared. Alright, we'll use it if needed. Also, just to be clear. You're my slave. Just because you will never be my wife, do not ever think that you can sleep around. In the future, you may be able to carry my seed, my seed only, and seriously hope it won't be a cursed one, like you."

She blinked at almost gasped in profound melancholy. Her spirit was crushed. He blatantly accused her of possible infidelity. He stared at her and liked her reaction. He wants to hurt her with words and it's working.

"My life is yours, Master. So is my heart. Please do not ever think that I can do that to you."

Facing him with her head low, Donne is quite satisfied with her obedient appearance.

"Good that you know."

Two bodies began exploring the pleasure offered by each other for the first time. One a veteran, the other a novice. There were cries, pleading, grunts, and moans which made even the moon hide behind the clouds.

He was extremely gentle when they reached the pinnacle of pleasure ensuring her comfort despite the pang of pain that goes along with the first time.

After what seemed like forever, the silence of the night prevailed. Meara breathed a sigh of relief that it was finally done with her eyes closed. She's aching all over but she's happy. It was a fulfilling night.

Suddenly, Donne stood up and walked away from the bed. He picked her dress on the floor and said, "I'm going to take a bath. Change the dirtied sheets and have the servants throw them away. Go back to your hut. You're job here is done. I want you gone by the time I'm done bathing."

He threw her dress back to her while she clenched the quilt covering her upper body. The dress fell on her face. He walked towards the bathroom and closed the door without looking back.

Meara opened her eyes. The happiness just now dissipated like a dream.

With an aching body, she dressed herself while letting the tears cloud her vision. She wiped her tears with both hands and sighed again, took a deep breath, and looked around the mess on the bed.

She gently removed the dirtied bedsheets and quilt. Her tears flowed more when she saw the red stain and folded it up separately. She included the pillowcases and folded them together with the quilt. Once again, he wiped her face with both of her hands, wiped her wet hands on her dress, and breathed a very long sigh.

'I can't cry', she thought.

She opened the cabinet where the spare bedsheets, pillows, and quilts were stored. She made the bed. A fresh scent of clean laundry filled the air.

She kept the bedsheet and handed over the rest to the servant who does the laundry. By now her eyes were only red on the sides while her nose was also red on the tip.

"My Lady, where are you taking that bedsheet?" The timid servant softly asked when she saw that the bedsheet was left in Meara's hand.

"He told me to throw it away. I will take care of it." Meara smiled and left slowly. Partly because of crushed spirit; partly because of the uncomfortable feeling all over.

She went out of the mansion in a daze and walked slowly towards her hut.

It took her almost half an hour to get there. She was internally healing herself while walking, imagining her healing capabilities to run where there were aching muscles and joints. Somehow, she felt a bit more comfortable as she approached her hut.

She opened her gate but did not enter the house. She carried the bedsheet towards the pile of dried leaves so she could burn it tomorrow.

Calla was still awake and waiting for her when she got back. A warm bath was also prepared in advance.

"Thank you, Calla. Please rest now. I can take care of myself after this, don't worry." Meara tried to hide her sadness and smiled.

But in her thoughts... "How I imagined to be held lovingly on my first night was far from reality... How foolish."

She cried more while soaked in a warm and fragrant bath.