We are just a pawn.

Scene 14

Location: Spring House

Astraea (slowly regaining consciousness): Where am I?

Astraea thinks to herself, holding the back of her head where she was hit. Her vision blurs as she surveys her surroundings.

Astraea (thinking): I was struck... I lost consciousness... (her hand lowers to her lap) They've taken me back. (a bitter laugh escapes her lips)

Unknown Voice (gently): You're awake?

Astraea turns her head toward the voice, spotting a young girl, around 14 years old, sitting beside her.

Astraea: Who are you?

Girl (smiling softly): I'm Jigu, Maam Fiona's apprentice.

Astraea (eyeing her carefully): Jigu? How old are you, little one?

Jigu (with a smile): Fourteen. And you?

Astraea (smiling faintly): Seventeen.

Jigu: Not much older than me.

Astraea: Same goes for you.

Astraea attempts to sit up, wincing from the pain in her neck. Jigu instinctively helps her up, noticing her struggle.

Jigu (kindly): You can ask for my help. Maam Fiona assigned me to assist you.

Astraea (coldly): She's the one who had me captured. Why would she care?

Jigu (shaking her head): No, it wasn't her. It was Sir Nior who gave the order. Maam Fiona took an interest in you because... you remind her of herself.

Astraea's curiosity piques as she hears this. She pats the space beside her, signaling for Jigu to sit.

Astraea: Was Maam Fiona brought here the same way I was?

Jigu (nodding): Yes. She fought for days without food, refusing to give in. But eventually, she surrendered.

Astraea: She didn't surrender just because she was hungry, did she?

Jigu (lowering her head, voice sad): No... you're right. It wasn't hunger. She... she was physically abused by Sir Nior for seven days. After that, she couldn't endure it anymore. She... began to believe she was just as worthless as the others here.

Astraea's heart clenches at this revelation. The image of the strong, composed woman she'd seen begins to crack, revealing the horrific truth beneath.

Astraea (quietly): How did she go from a slave to the Maam of this place?

Jigu: She used Sir Nior's favor to climb her way up. But it wasn't easy. She's not like other house leaders who abuse their girls. She looks after us, listens to us... She's a good person. Just... a victim of the circumstances.

Astraea (firmly): She doesn't see herself as a victim. She's a survivor.

Jigu (puzzled): Why do you say that?

Astraea: If you think you're a victim, you've already lost. But if you believe you're a survivor, you've already won.

Jigu (sighing): She likes you because you remind her of her younger self. But she thinks you'll accept this life, just as she did.

Astraea: I'll do what's necessary. I've never fought against fate, only prayed to the gods for peace. If this is my fate, I'll make this place deserving of me.

Jigu (admiringly): Strong-willed.

Astraea (curious): How do you know all this?

Jigu: There are two Spring Houses. The one you're in now is for the younger ones. The older girls, when they age, are sent to the Old House. That's where I heard the stories.

Astraea: And how does that tie into what you've told me?

Jigu: The women in the Old House fought alongside Maam Fiona when they were young. They tell stories about those times.

Astraea (leaning back with a soft smile): What a strange world this is... We're all just pawns in someone else's game.

Jigu looks at Astraea as she rests back on the bed, the weight of her words sinking in. Both girls exchange a quiet smile, bonded by the shared understanding of their harsh reality.